On February 25, 2008, Johnson was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame along with his father-in-law, " High Chief" Peter Maivia. He made a return to the ring, and defeated Mabel in a boxing match at Memphis Wrestling on November 29, 2003. In early 2003, Johnson was hired as a trainer for the WWE developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling, but was let go in May. Johnson was not seen on-camera again after the Rocky Maivia character flopped, and soon Dwayne achieved crossover popularity as a cocky heel, The Rock. Initially, Johnson had an on-camera presence at his son's matches, and jumped into the ring on his behalf after he was attacked by The Sultan and The Iron Sheik at WrestleMania 13.
Johnson was instrumental in getting Dwayne (later dubbed "Rocky Maivia" after both Rocky Johnson's and Peter Maivia's ring names) signed to a WWF developmental deal. While he initially resisted his son's entry into what he knew to be an extremely difficult business, Johnson agreed to train him on the condition that he would not go easy on him. In Hawaii, he teamed with his brother Ricky Johnson.Īfter retiring in 1991, Johnson, along with Pat Patterson, trained his son Dwayne to wrestle. Later career (1985–1991) Īfter leaving WWF in June 1985, Johnson went to Central States, Tennessee, Hawaii, Portland, Puerto Rico and the independent circuit. Together, they were billed as "The Soul Patrol". They were the first black men to hold a WWF championship. They defeated the Wild Samoans ( Afa and Sika) for the Tag Team Championship on the Decemepisode of Championship Wrestling (taped November 15). He was then paired with Tony Atlas as a tag team. In 1982, Johnson feuded with Don Muraco, Greg Valentine, Mike Sharpe, Buddy Rose, and Adrian Adonis.
He also wrestled under a mask as "Sweet Ebony Diamond" in the Mid-Atlantic area. Johnson wrestled off and on in the Memphis promotion, often feuding with Jerry Lawler, winning Lawler's crown at one point. He was well-suited for tag team wrestling, winning several regional tag team championships in the NWA. He was a top contender in the National Wrestling Alliance in the 1970s, receiving title matches against then- World Champions Terry Funk and Harley Race. In Los Angeles he took on Freddie Blassie, The Destroyer and John Tolos. In the late 1960s to mid 1970s, he was a major star in California. He chose the name Rocky Johnson as a tribute to two of his favorite boxing greats: Rocky Marciano and Jack Johnson, the latter being the first black heavyweight boxing champion.
Johnson began his career as a professional wrestler in 1964 in Southern Ontario soon after his debut, he legally changed his name to his moniker. Professional wrestling career National Wrestling Alliance (1964–1982) Initially, he trained to be a boxer and eventually sparred with greats such as Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, but was always fascinated by wrestling. At the age of 16, Johnson moved to Toronto, where he began wrestling and worked as a truck driver.
A Black Nova Scotian, he was descended from Black Loyalists who immigrated to Nova Scotia after escaping from a plantation in the United States after the American Revolutionary War, and also had part- Irish ancestry. Johnson was born Wayde Douglas Bowles in Amherst, Nova Scotia, where he was raised, the fourth of five sons of Lillian ( née Gay 1919–1996) and James Henry Bowles (1888–1957).