Dwayne Johnson Reveals He Considered Becoming An MMA Fighter

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When Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was a brand new face in WWE, he thought of giving up on skilled wrestling for a profession in MMA.

Johnson is without doubt one of the greatest celebrities on this planet after his skilled wrestling profession with WWE and immense accolades in Hollywood. He’s additionally an avid MMA fan and offered the BMF belt to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244.

Johnson’s profession in WWE helped propel him into the large international celebrity he’s at this time. However, it virtually did not come to be after some early struggles and poor fan reception.

When his wrestling future was in query, Johnson turned to a pair of the largest MMA legends to obtain counsel on a possible transfer to the cage.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Neared PRIDE Signing In 1997

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Throughout a latest look on The Joe Rogan Expertise podcast, Johnson claimed he thought of signing with the now-defunct PRIDE earlier than his WWE profession cemented.

“97, I used to be nonetheless going to LA and figuring out. We had been crossing all of the MMA guys. PRIDE simply opened up in Japan,” Johnson defined. “I began seeing all these MMA guys going over to PRIDE. At the moment, I used to be making $150,000 {dollars} wrestling 235 days a yr. Do the mathematics on that and the way a lot you make per match. We begin listening to, ‘These guys in PRIDE are making $250,000, $350,000, $500,000.’ I believed then, ‘Fuck, I do not assume I’ll make it in WWE. Persons are booing me out of the arenas. I am unable to be myself. They’re telling me to fucking smile, I do not need to fucking smile. That is not who I’m.’

“I begin speaking to Ken Shamrock, I begin speaking with Mark Kerr, ‘inform me about PRIDE.’ I’ve this concept in my head ‘perhaps I ought to practice in MMA, go to PRIDE, and make actual cash and I haven’t got to smile.’ I’ll get fucked up, knock one in every of my lungs free [laughs], but when I discover the correct coach and practice….I’ve this complete factor in my head. I am speaking to my spouse on the time, ‘I feel that is the best way to go. I could make actual cash whereas these followers are booing me for $150 grand.'”

Johnson ended up sticking it out with WWE, which paid off massively for his life and profession. His character at WWE occasions grew to become a fan favourite and he squared off with a number of the greatest names in wrestling.

Johnson is an elite athlete, as evidenced by his intense exercise routine and school soccer background. He might’ve probably made some noise in MMA earlier than he determined to stay targeted on a profession within the ring.