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Dwayne Johnson, more famously known as The Rock, is one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the business. However, former WWE star Ken Shamrock recently revealed that he originally used the iconic ring name.
Johnson started his WWE career as Rocky Maivia in 1996. However, fans turned on him. He embraced the hate to become The Rock less than a year later, and the rest is history. Shamrock, on the other hand, joined the Stamford-based promotion in 1997 after a successful career in mixed martial arts.
In a recent interaction with VLAD TV on YouTube, the 60-year-old confirmed that he used the popular in-ring name during the early days of his MMA career, and it was even carved out in his official WWE contract. However, the veteran added that Johnson wasn't aware of it.
"I was Ken 'The Rock' Shamrock when I came out to fight. I wouldn't say [he stole], but he had no clue. Absolutely no clue that I was named The Rock. Fact is, when I came to him, I kind of joked about it that I had that carved out in my contract. I kind of laughed about it, and he was like, 'Oh, what? Really?' And I was like, 'Brother, don't worry about it, man! It's not a big deal. I don't care!''' Shamrock said. [0:31-1:02]
The People's Champion and Ken Shamrock eventually feuded for the Intercontinental Championship for the better part of 1998 before the former's rise to superstardom later that year.
Shamrock would leave WWE in late 1999 to resume his MMA career but continued to wrestle concurrently with other promotions in the 2000s.
The Rock inducted Ken Shamrock into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2020
Ken Shamrock joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in May 2002. The legendary performer went on to become the promotion's first World Champion a month later.
The 60-year-old was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2020. And to the surprise of many, The Rock made a virtual special appearance to induct his good friend.
It was shocking considering that WWE didn't have an existing relationship with TNA back then, unlike now.
Shamrock officially retired from MMA in 2019, three years after his last fight. On the other hand, he continued to wrestle until August 6, 2022, when he defeated Harry Smith in his final match.
