Dwayne Johnson, known to multiple generations of wrestling and action movie fans as “The Rock,” now has a seat at the table— joining the TKO Group Holdings Board of Directors.
TKO, a publicly traded company with Endeavor as the majority owner, houses both WWE, The Rock’s old home, and the UFC. News of Johnson joining the board was announced recently via press release; as part of the deal, Johnson now owns the rights to the “Rock” name, which was also used by his father, “Rocky” Johnson.
The third generation wrestler (his grandfather performed as the “High Chief” Peter Maivia) issued a statement in conjunction with the announcement, saying that “My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come. Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle.”
Since nothing in wrestling ever happens by accident, Johnson’s “seat at the table” comment might just be a nod to “Head of the Table” Roman Reigns, the current WWE world champion. The pair are cousins, part of the legendary Anoa’i family of Samoa.
Johnson went on to say that “At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari [Emanuel, Endeavor CEO] is building something truly game changing. I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”
Johnson is widely expected to return to the ring for this year’s WrestleMania. He has also kept close ties with the UFC, despite never having competed in MMA, and was on hand to award the inaugural BMF title to Jorge Masvidal when he defeated Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in 2019.
