Famous Hollywood actor and WWE star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson told how he wanted to move to the Japanese MMA promotion Pride.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
1997, I was still going to LA and working out. We were crossing all the MMA guys. At that time, I was making $150,000 dollars wrestling 235 days a year. We start hearing, 'These guys in PRIDE are making $250,000, $350,000, $500,000.' I have this idea in my head 'maybe I should train in MMA, go to PRIDE, and make real money and I don't have to smile. I'm going to get f***ed up, knock one of my lungs loose [laughs], but if I find the right coach and train… I have this whole thing in my head.
Johnson performed in the WWE for eight years before beginning his acting career. He left the organization in 2004, returned there in 2011 and performed until 2013 before occasionally appearing in the company until his career ended in 2019.
Johnson is a 10-time World Champion, as well as a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, a five-time tag team champion, the winner of the 2000 Battle Royal and the sixth Triple Crown Champion.
