Current Date: 16 Feb, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Before "The Rock," There Was "Rocky Maivia"

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s first WWF persona was Rocky Maivia, a face (good guy). The audience rejected him due to his cheesy character, with chants of “Die, Rocky, die!”. After this, he became a heel (villain), referring to himself in the third person as “The Rock” and insulting the audience.

Dwayne Johnson, better known as “The Rock,” makes his professional wrestling debut in Young Rock, but he goes by a completely different name on the show. Johnson recalls his first match with the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), now known as WWE, in the fictionalized biographical series that tells the beginning story of one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Instead of using his current ring name, “The Rock” makes his debut in his first wrestling match as “Rocky Maivia.”

Johnson’s first appearance in the ring is followed in “Corpus Christi,” the eighth episode of Young Rock season 2. Johnson is introduced as Rocky Maivia in this first match. The truth is that “The Rock” didn’t even choose his initials as a wrestler. To honor Johnson’s father and grandfather’s careers as professional wrestlers, WWE president Vince McMahon combined their names. Johnson’s first WWE wrestling name was Rocky Maivia, which he hated from the moment it was suggested but had no choice but to use because it was his father Rocky Johnson’s and his grandfather Peter Maivia’s.

Although Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been appreciative of the legacy his family has left for him, he desired the opportunity to pave his own course. Rocky Maivia initially made it simpler for him to get into the business. The name gave him the chance to challenge the groundwork laid down by his father and grandfather. Johnson soon realized that Rocky Maivia was not the name he had intended for the crowd to chant. He came to the conclusion that it was time to forge a new, more sincere identity. As revealed (via Wired), Johnson’s mentor and father figure Patt Patterson was the one who first suggested the idea for a wrestling monicker, asking Johnson, “What if we call you The Rock?”

Before The Rock There Was Rocky Maivia 1
Photo Credit: screenrant.com

Johnson cherished the opportunity to adopt a new name and leave Rocky Maivia behind. Dwayne Johnson shared images from the Young Rock season 2 episode where he reflected on the first match. He told his followers that the night of his debut as Rocky Maivia changed his life but that he would “eventually drop the name “Rocky Maivia” (which [he] hated).” By changing his character to “The Rock,” Johnson was able to carve out his own niche in the world of wrestling while still paying homage to his father and grandfather.

Johnson is not the only one who aspires to sever ties with his family tree while still upholding the legacy of those who came before him. Simone Johnson, the fourth generation of wrestlers in the Johnson family, has continued the sport’s heritage. Contrary to her father, Simone will have the chance to be her more authentic self from her first steps in the ring. She has also emulated her father by adopting her own WWE wrestling name, which has been revealed to be “Ava Raine.” Since Young Rock has been officially renewed by NBC for a third season, it might not be long before the program explores Johnson’s transformation from Rocky Maivia and his acceptance of his new legacy as “The Rock.”

Similar Stories
Couple reunites after 60 years apart

Couple reunites after 60 years apart

A Russian couple were reunited after being separated for 60 years. They were married for 3 days when the husband left to join the Red Army. They were unable to find each other until 60 years later when they randomly visited their hometown on the same day.

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant by Jon Bon Jovi with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meals. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

Mel Blanc; the voice of Bugs Bunny, had been in a serious car accident that put him in a coma. After many unsuccessful attempts to get him to talk, a doctor asked “Bugs, can you hear me” Mel responded in the voice of bugs bunny, “Whats up, Doc? The doctors used this to lead him out of his coma.

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Bill Morgan, an Australian, is a man who has beat the odds. He escaped death by surviving a horrific automobile accident and heart attack before collapsing into a coma and going on to win the lotto twice. He went from losing virtually everything to winning far more than he could have imagined.

Toddler Calls 911 Accidentally and Saves Dad's Life

Toddler Calls 911 Accidentally and Saves Dad's Life

A father from Florida collapsed on the floor during a medical episode. Fortunately, his toddler son dialed 911 by accident and saved his life. An officer from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office arrived quickly and administered first aid before transporting him to a nearby hospital.

Missing Masterpiece Discovered in the Background of ‘Stuart Little’

Missing Masterpiece Discovered in the Background of ‘Stuart Little’

In 2009, Gergely Barki, an art historian, was watching the film Stuart Little (1999) when he spotted an original long-lost painting used as a prop. Called Sleeping Lady with Black Vase, this painting was the work of Hungarian avant-garde painter Róbert Berény. The painting had been considered lost after World War II.

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Located in Belize, there is a cave where the remnants of ancient Maya human sacrifices can be witnessed. However, reaching the back of the cave system requires swimming, wading through a cave river, and crawling through narrow, uneven rocky passages in darkness. Once there, visitors can walk among the numerous corpses of sacrifice victims, including The Crystal Maiden, an 18-year-old whose skeleton has become calcified to the point of sparkling.

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

Stefano Mariottini was snorkeling off the coast of Monasterace near Riace in 1972 when he noticed a human hand sticking out of the sand and called the police, thinking it was a corpse. It was actually two statues of "Warriors from Riace" - 5th century BC Greek bronze statues.

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Forrest Fenn, an art dealer, hid a bronze chest full of gold and other jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains ten years ago. In a poem, he hinted at its location. Thousands of people tried and failed to find the treasure, which is said to be worth over a million dollars, and at least four people died in the process. In June 2020, the Fenn treasure was discovered.