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Dwayne Johnson is a name that does not need an introduction. The name means different things to many people. Some associate the name with WWE legend The Rock. To some, he is a proud girl dad, who enjoys living up to the title and is often seen gushing about his daughters on social media. Others regard him as a fantastic actor who can light up the stage. Not to mention the fortitude and tenacity associated with his name because of that amazing physique of his!
And when it comes to sports, few stories are as remarkable and inspiring as The Rock’s journey. The legendary wrestler-turned-actor has gone from wrestling in parking lots for a mere $40 per match to currently serving on the board of directors for WWE with a staggering $30 million paycheck. Yes, TKO, the company that owns the WWE and UFC, has appointed the actor to its board of directors.
Also Read:Intense CM Punk – Cody Rhodes Segment Clears Air on One Rumor About Dwayne Johnson’s WWE Return at WrestleMania
Dwayne Johnson’s Humble Beginnings in the Wrestling World
Starring in popular action films such asJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Mummy Returns,and theFast & Furiousfranchise, Dwayne Johnson has amassed millions of dollars in his career. But even with his current success, his pay as a professional wrestler was once only $40 per night.Aside from wrestling to make ends meet at flea stores and used car dealerships, he had to overcome many obstacles to get to where he is now.
He discussed the challenges he had in his early professional wrestling career in an interview withStephen Colbertin 2018:
“It was hardcore. So when I first started out, we would … live life like gypsies and I would wrestle, I had a guarantee of $40 per match every night.”
Johnson could only afford to eat at Waffle House because he was so broke. He added:
“It was long green, really long green. I was living at the Waffle House, I ate there three times a day.”
In addition to the meager pay, Johnson had to swallow his pride and wrestle in some strange places, like car dealerships and flea markets. The father of three further shared:
“So Monday nights were the flea market, I would wrestle there, at the Big Top Flea Market in Memphis, Tennessee. Saturday would be the State Fair, every Saturday. And then throughout the week, we would wrestle at used-car dealerships.”
Johnson understood that he had to go through this less-than-ideal phase of his career in order to succeed in it. And guess what? You can now see the degree of success he has attained.
Also Read:Dwayne Johnson Could Only Dream of This Insane Record Held by His Cousin Roman Reigns
Dwayne Johnson’s Appointment to the TKO Board Will Bring in $30 Million
We learned fromCNN BusinessthatDwayne Johnsonhas joined the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., the business endeavor formed by merging the UFC and WWE.The former professional wrestler for the WWE, who is now regarded as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and marketable stars, will join the board right away.
As part of his new contract, the company announced in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it will give Johnson $30 million in stock awards to promote the brand. In a press release, thecompany also commended his“significant experience” in securing media rights and generating revenue for his other business endeavors.
As a global leader in sports and entertainment, Johnson claimed that his“crazy life is coming full circle” and that he is
“Very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses”.
Also Read:“It’s likely gonna be His retirement match”: Potential Plans For Dwayne Johnson’s WrestleMania Return Upsets WWE Universe
He added that he’s proud to represent
“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.”
During a segment with Jinder Mahal onMonday Night Raw(June 19, 2025), Johnson made an unexpected appearance. He took a direct jab at his cousinRoman Reignsby asking the audience if he should sit at “the head of the table” (viaWrestling Headlines).
It is undeniable that The Rock’s rise from parking lot wrestling for pennies on the dollar to a position on the WWE board of directors and a fat salary is among the greatest comeback stories in sports history.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
