WWE Hall of Famer and the father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), has died announced by the WWE announced on Wednesday.
According to the to the WWE website.
Johnson, began his career in boxing before turning to a career in sports-entertainment world of wrestling in the 1960s.
Rest in peace, Rocky Johnson. #RIPRocky pic.twitter.com/WJhFBU0xtn
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2020
“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, an incredible talent who forged an indelible legacy. My thoughts are with @TheRock and his family.” said Vince McMahon on Twitter.
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, an incredible talent who forged an indelible legacy. My thoughts are with @TheRock and his family. pic.twitter.com/Y2gIgL9J2f
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) January 16, 2020
According to Wikipedia, during the Canadian born wrestlers career, he became a National Wrestling Alliance(NWA) Georgia Champion and a NWA Southern Heavyweight Memphis Champion, as well as winning many other championships. Along with his partner Tony Atlas, he was part of the first black tag team to win the World Tag Team Championship in the World Wrestling Federation
In 2016 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wrote on an emotional story about his father’s childhood Instagram
“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.”
“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,” he added.
“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??.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOpqezLDd6K/?igshid=zz96z2q2hxgcy
Johnson is survived by his sons, Dwayne and Curtis, and his daughter, Wanda. He was 75.
Photos: @therock Instagram
Posted to: 2016 Christmas