The Rock’s Father, WWE Hall Of Famer Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson, Dies [CONDOLENCES]

January 16, 2020 by Char in Sports with 0 Comments

The Rock and father Rocky Johnson

The Rock’s Father, WWE Hall Of Famer Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson, Dies [CONDOLENCES]

Sad news this morning! (Jan. 16)

WWE Hall of Famer and father to all-star wrestler turned actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has died.

Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson, who was one of the first American-American World Tag Team Champions, passed away at the age of 75-years-old, according to WWE. The cause of death is not known.

His career dates back to the 60s when he made his mark in the National Wrestling Alliance and peaked during his time with the WWE, which began in the early 80s. He and his partner in crime, Tony Atlas, became known as the Soul Patrol dynamic duo as the men made history as the first Africa-American World Tag Team Champions after they beat the Wild Samoans in late 1983.

He later retired in 1991, and made way for his son to enter the industry. The Rock certainly had big shoes to fill but he made a name for himself in the wrestling industry before stepping in front of the camera. The Rock was front-and-center when Rocky Johnson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

In 2017, Rocky Johnson opened up about training his son for his successful boxing career.

After The Rock told him he had an interest in wrestling, Rocky Johnson recalls responding:

“‘I’m going to train you 150 percent.”

He added,

And I was hard on him. But he never gave up.”

The Rock also gifted his dad with a brand new car for Christmas in 2016.

He wrote,

“Bought my dad a Christmas gift and surprised him. He’s had a hard life. This one felt good.
My dad, Rocky Johnson is a minimalist. Always has been. Never asks me for much and over the years his needs are always the barest. Crazy story, my dad’s dad died when he was 13yrs old. That Christmas, my dad’s mom had her new boyfriend over for Christmas dinner. Her boyfriend got drunk and pissed on the turkey. My dad went outside, got a shovel, drew a line in the snow and said if you cross that line I’ll kill you. The drunk crossed it and my dad laid him out cold as a block of ice.”

He continued,

“Cops were called. They told my dad’s mom that when her boyfriend regains consciousness, he’s gonna kill your son so one of them has got to go. In front of the entire family, my dad’s mom looked at him and said get out. He was 13yrs old and now homeless. That f*cked up true story happened in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1954. He needed the bare minimum then, just like does now.”

The Rock and his father Rocky Johnson

He ended with:

“Over the years, I’ve moved him into a big home, got him trucks to drive – which he’ll literally drive into the ground until I get him something else. Hell, I’ll get him anything he wants, but the SOB just won’t ask;). Every Christmas, I always think about that story and my dad having every odd stacked against him at 13, but he fought thru it and still made something of himself. Makes me appreciate his struggle and hard work. Also, makes me appreciate the fun times he would beat my ass in the gym so bad when I was 13 and say “If you’re gonna throw up, go outside.. and if you’re gonna cry, then go home to your mother”. I hated it then, but I embrace it now. Made a man outta me. Without pissing on my turkey. ???. Just a small way of saying thank you dad and Merry Christmas! #DwantaClaus??“

Prayers for The Rock and his family!

Tags: dwayne johnson, recommend, rocky johnson, the rock

Authored by: Char