Why is Dwayne Johnson called The Rock?

In 1996, when Dwayne Johnson made his debut in World Wrestling Entertainment (although he was then called the World Wrestling Federation), he adopted the stage name Rocky Maivia. His grandfather and father were both professional wrestlers under the names of Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson, respectively, at the origin of the pseudonym Dwayne Johnson.

However, the fans did not like Rocky Maivia. Despite victories in games and titles, the character did not do much and did not say much and it was thought that his personality bubbly man scared the viewers. During his appearances, audience members chanted "Rocky sucks!" And "Die, Rocky, die!"

So, Johnson knew that he had to make some changes. In 1997, he started giving up the name of Rocky Maivia and just started calling himself The Rock in the third person. He also adopted a tougher personality and put forward his nasty side.

From that moment on, Dwayne Johnson became a hit with fans and his popularity exploded. The Rock went from a beginner wrestler that everyone hated to a beloved name.

He wanted to stop calling The Rock at some point

Because of his fame at WWE, Dwayne Johnson was able to act in the late 1990s and early 2000s with roles in such films as The mother returns (2001) and King Scorpion (2002). He finally left the fight to become a full-time actor in 2004.

During his new career, he was advised to drop his wrestling image and become a more Hollywood man.

"The management said to me at that time," You know, you must forget your past. You can not bring the fight. We must leave this slowly behind. Do not call us Rock. Let's get everyone to call you, Dwayne Johnson, "he told the British program This morning in 2018.

He wanted to make it an actor, so Dwayne Johnson tried to listen to his direction and did what was necessary to match what Hollywood wanted. In particular, he lost weight and distanced himself from his life as a wrestler.

However, after trying to become someone that he was not, Johnson decided to say goodbye to those negative people in his life and became loyal to himself again.

In another interview, he said, "So there was a great moment of clarity around 2010. I thought, yes, it does not work. I have to stop, readjust, reevaluate and change everything around me. I have to take one more shot, but at least I'll do it with myself. "

He likes to be called The Rock now

For Dwayne Johnson, The Rock is a name that means a significant part of its past. As such, he did not want to let him down and forget who he was.

"I will not be ashamed of my past," he said. "I love my past."

Dwayne Johnson also said he was happy for fans to call him "The Rock" or "Dwayne Johnson".