Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson gets rights to one of the most famous nicknames in entertainment, his own
It’s a name that has become almost synonymous with professional wrestling, but its bearer, Dwayne Johnson, has never legally owned “The Rock.”
That’s set to change under a new deal with the WWE, which will also see Johnson join the board of TKO Group, the sports and entertainment company that houses WWE and UFC.
“The Rock” is a name derived from Johnson’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who, according to the WWE, was the first black champion in WWE history (alongside partner Tony Atlas).
Johnson, a film and wrestling star, has a business portfolio that includes production company Seven Bucks Productions, tequila brand Teremana Tequila, energy drink company ZOA Energy, clothing brand Project Rock and the United Football League.
“I am highly motivated to help expand our TKO, WWE and UFC operations globally as the global leaders in sports and entertainment – while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day and working hard with them have two hands to make their dreams come true and make them come true for our audience,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”
TKO Group Holdings Inc. says Johnson’s appointment to the board, effective Tuesday, reflects his “commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives for both UFC and WWE.”
Johnson began his wrestling career with WWE in 1996. The third-generation wrestler rose to fame for rivalries with wrestlers including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Triple H and his final maneuver, The Rock Bottom, according to his biography on the WWE website . He has won eight WWE Championships, has a New York Times best-selling autobiography, “The Rock Says,” and has appeared in films including “Fast Jungle’.
Johnson has recently appeared on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s “Smackdown” and “Raw” television shows, with rumors swirling that he could compete at this year’s WrestleMania.
“I am thrilled to work with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to the TKO board,” TKO CEO Ariel Emanuel said in a prepared statement. “Dwayne has an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”
TKO also announced on Tuesday that Brad Keywell will become a board member. Keywell has co-founded and led several companies, including Groupon, Echo Global Logistics, MediaOcean and Uptake Technologies, where he currently serves as founder and executive chairman.
The addition of Johnson and Keywell will increase TKO’s board from 11 to 13 members.
Shares of TKO Group rose almost 10% before the market opened.