The pro wrestling world has lost another legend.
WWE Hall Of Famer Rocky Johnson, father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has passed away at age 75.
WWE.com released the following statement regarding the passing of the pro wrestling legend:
WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), a WWE Hall of Famer, former World Tag Team Champion, and father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has passed away at age 75.
Johnson’s sports-entertainment career began in the mid-1960s when he made a memorable impression in the National Wrestling Alliance. However, Johnson found his highest levels of success when he began his WWE tenure in 1983.
The physically imposing and wildly charismatic Johnson had several memorable rivalries with the likes of Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Don Muraco and Adrian Adonis. He found his greatest success when he teamed up with Tony Atlas as The Soul Patrol. The two men became the first African-American World Tag Team Champions in WWE history when they defeated The Wild Samoans on Dec. 10, 1983.
The “Soul Man” retired from the ring in 1991, but his imprint continued to be felt on WWE for years to come. Post-retirement, Johnson had a hand in training his son, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The Rock would become one of the biggest stars in the history of sports-entertainment and carried on his father’s legacy with pride.
In 2008, Johnson achieved the highest honor in sports-entertainment when he was inducted by The Rock into the WWE Hall of Fame where he will be forever enshrined as one of sports-entertainment’s most influential performers.
WWE extends its condolences to Johnson’s family, friends and fans.
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson has passed away. https://t.co/9uxrICJKxb
— WWE (@WWE) January 15, 2020
Just wanna send my condolences and #RIP sentiments out to #WWEHOF legend & father of #movie star/fellow #WWE legend, #TheRock, #SoulMan #RockyJohnson passes away at age 75
Read the complete statement released by WWE to honor Rocky Johnson’s memory here: https://t.co/MKWd6WJn6M pic.twitter.com/rxgKZf2Wsr
— Matt Boone (@MattBoone1984) January 15, 2020
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