Vince McMahon’s Close Aide Details The Rock’s Troubled Relationship With His Father: “It Was Strange Over the Years”

Published 02/03/2022, 3:00 PM EST

It’s okay to want to break out of your family’s shadow and create a name for yourself. This is what Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock did after his first run at WWE.

In the Supercut of The Rock 1997 and The Rock 1998-99 episodes by AdFreeShows, Bruce Prichard revealed that The Rock was reluctant to be a mashup of his father, Rocky, and grandfather, Peter Maivia.

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The reason ‘The Great One’ wanted to have his own identity in WWE could be because of his relationship with his father. At least, that’s what it feels like.

“They’ve had kinda off and on relationship for many years. I don’t know it was necessarily on at that time which might have, you know, helped with Rock not really wanting to take his dad’s name. But, it was strange over the years. Sometimes they were on, sometimes they were off. Over the years I know that Rocky was extremely proud that The Rock became who he is.”

Let’s not forget, when Johnson started working, he only had seven bucks in his pocket. Hence, he was happy to have a job but he was reluctant to play Rocky Maivia. But, he took on the work after Vince McMahon convinced him, and also because he needed the work.

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Vince McMahon’s pitch to The Rock was legendary

Now, as mentioned, Dwayne Johnson did not want to play the role of Rocky Maivia. But, McMahon had a vision for the character and it was directly opposite of what Rock wanted.

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In fact, Bruce Prichard revealed it was a hard sell. But, he also revealed what McMahon said to Rock that made it a hard sell.

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“You have to embody everything about your father, the strength of Rocky. And, you have to be able to embrace the heritage of your grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia. All embodied in you with the Polynesian flow.” H/t AdFreeShows

After Rocky Maivia’s character failed, Johnson took a WWE break. When he returned, he was The Rock, and the audience loved him! Even when he was being arrogant, the fans loved him.

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Maybe, deep down inside, Dwayne Johnson always knew he was meant to do something different, something that symbolizes him as he is and not just his father and grandfather!

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Written by:

Shuvangi is a senior WWE and AEW author at EssentiallySports. She has over 2000 published WWE articles and also has experience in content operations with Forbes. Having completed her undergraduation from Royal Holloway, University of London, Shuvangi is closely aligned to the fitness industry, having amateur skills levels in tennis and basketball while rowing at a regatta level.

Vince McMahon’s Close Aide Details The Rock’s Troubled Relationship With His Father: “It Was Strange Over the Years”

Vince McMahon’s pitch to The Rock was legendary

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