Current Date: 19 Jun, 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
Abraham Crijnssen – The Ship That Disguised Itself As An Island

Abraham Crijnssen – The Ship That Disguised Itself As An Island

During World War II a Dutch minesweeper evaded the Japanese for eight days disguised as an island. The crew covered the decks in cut trees and painted exposed surfaces to look like rocks. They moved only at night and anchored closed to shore by day, eventually escaping to Australia.

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

One thing is certain: when it comes to ensuring nice weather for the world's largest party, the Chinese cannot be accused of being subtle. The Chinese government authorized the use of 1,104 cloud seeding missile launches from 4:00-11:39 p.m. on Friday night to reduce the possibility of rain ahead of the 29th Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

Major Claude Hensinger jumped out of a B-29 bomber during World War II when the engine caught fire. He was saved by his parachute. Later, he requested that his fiancée Ruth make him a gown out of the same parachute. The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

A Chinese man purchased a First Class Ticket, which included admission to a VIP Lounge with free food. Over the course of a year, he rescheduled over 300 times in order to receive over 300 free dinners. When questioned, it was discovered that he is rescheduling his reservation to another date after eating. He eventually cancelled the ticket and got a full refund.

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.

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.

'Press Your Luck' Was Hacked in 1984 by an Ice Cream Man

'Press Your Luck' Was Hacked in 1984 by an Ice Cream Man

in 1984 an contestant made it onto the game show Press Your Luck. He discovered using his stop-motion VCR that the presumed random patterns of the game board were not random and memorized the sequences. On the game he was on, he won 45 consecutive spins. winning $110,237 in cash & prizes.

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.

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

On June 10, 1986, two-and-a-half-year-old Michelle Funk fell into an icy creek and was submerged for 66 minutes. When rescuers pulled her out of the water, she was not breathing, had no pulse, and appeared lifeless. The doctors used various techniques to rewarm her blood and bring her back to life. She was successfully resuscitated and went on to lead a healthy life.

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

While employed by Volvo in 1959, Swidish engineer Nils Bohlin created the three-point safety belt. Volvo first had the design patented, but soon as they discovered its importance as a new safety measure, they made the patent open to everyone. Millions of lives were genuinely spared by Volvo’s gift to the world.

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

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.