Whereas Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made an enormous splash with a shock return to Uncooked on Jan. 1, teasing a match with undisputed WWE common champion Roman Reigns, he was a part of an equally stunning bit of stories on Tuesday morning. TKO Group Holdings, the publicly traded media conglomerate that was created by Endeavor to merge UFC and WWE, introduced in a press release that Johnson had been appointed to the TKO board of administrators.
Along with being appointed to his new seat, the wrestler-turned-superstar actor was additionally introduced to have been given full possession of the trademark for “The Rock.”
“My grandfather, Excessive Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve by no means thought this present day would come,” Johnson stated in a press release. “Which is why I am very humbled to have a seat on the desk that has many years of historical past and household legacy for me. A desk that my household helped to construct. Being on the TKO Board of Administrators, and taking full possession of my identify, ‘The Rock’, just isn’t solely unprecedented, however extremely inspiring as my loopy life is coming full circle.
“At my core, I am a builder who builds for and serves the individuals, and [TKO CEO Ariel Emanuel] is constructing one thing actually recreation altering. I am very motivated to assist proceed to globally broaden our TKO, WWE, and UFC companies because the worldwide leaders in sports activities and leisure — whereas proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who present up each day placing within the exhausting work with their very own two arms to make their goals come true and ship for our audiences. I have been there, I am nonetheless there and that is for them.”
Precise phrases of Johnson’s deal weren’t revealed, although Johnson may also present promotional, licensing, and different companies for TKO.
Johnson made his return to WWE throughout “Day One Uncooked” on the primary day of 2024, confronting Jinder Mahal. Whereas a one-off look would have been sufficient to make waves, it was Johnson’s closing phrases within the look that actually received individuals speaking, with Johnson asking the gang if he ought to “sit on the head of the desk.” That was a reference to Reigns, Johnson’s cousin, and was believed to be step one in establishing an enormous match for WrestleMania 40.
“Only a few individuals on the planet perceive the convergence of sports activities, leisure, media, and enterprise like ‘Rock,'” TKO government chairman Vince McMahon stated in a press release. “We’re proud to have him be part of the TKO board to assist take our firm to new heights.”