Fresh Air Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
10 snips
Jan 2, 2026 
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, a Hollywood star and former WWE champion, shares insights on his journey from wrestling to acting. He humorously reflects on why he chose to forgo a mixed martial arts career, stating he doesn't enjoy getting punched. Johnson discusses his iconic wrestling personas, intensifying crowd reactions, and the injuries he’s endured throughout his career. He reveals the emotional bond with his late father and a touching WrestleMania moment. Johnson also touches on his musical roots, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in his performances.
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Authenticity Created The Rock
- Dwayne Johnson found his authentic power when he stopped forcing a grateful baby-face persona and embraced a real, provocative character as The Rock.
- Authenticity, even in a performative field, instantly connects with audiences and accelerates success.
Turned Injury Into Career Pivot
- In 1997 Johnson considered switching to MMA because wrestlers like Mark Kerr earned more and wrestled far less often.
- A knee injury and WWE recasting him as a villain led him to return and create The Rock persona.
Real Injury Amid A Staged Match
- At WrestleMania Johnson bled from his lungs after a suplex and still finished the planned finish of the match.
- He knew the outcome backstage but didn’t expect the real internal injury that caused the bleeding.