Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, a combination of his father and grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name. [72] He was initially reluctant to take this ring name but was persuaded by Vince McMahon and Jim Ross.

Jul 16, 2020 · The son of Rocky Johnson and grandson of Peter Maivia, he took on their names and became Rocky Maivia. He made his debut as the Blue Chipper, a clean-cut babyface who showed up on Monday Night RAW on November 4, 1996, as the next big thing.

Jan 26, 2024 · One name change turned one wrestler into an international sensation. The Sporting News looks into how Dwayne Johnson went from Rocky Maivia to The Rock.

Jun 27, 2022 · The Rock once went by Rocky Maivia during his wrestling debut, as shown in the series Young Rock, but why is he now known to the world as The Rock?

May 3, 2020 · Johnson signed a contract with WWE and debuted in the WWE with Rocky Maivia as his ring name and was hyped as the first third-generation wrestler in the WWE. He was given the nickname The Blue Chipper.

Aug 4, 2021 · When Dwayne Johnson broke into the WWE (then the WWF) in 1996, he went by the name Rocky Maivia. The name combined the first name of his dad with the last name of his grandfather – both legendary wrestlers.

Aug 3, 2021 · When Dwayne Johnson first arrived in the WWE (then WWF) in 1996, he was known as Rocky Maivia. The name was originally pitched to him by Vince McMahon and was a combination of his father (Rocky...

Dec 23, 2018 · Dwayne Johnson’s 1st WWF persona was Rocky Maivia. The group of onlookers rejected him because of his mushy character, with serenades of “Die, Rocky, Die”. Dwayne Johnson originates from a Samoan family that incorporates more than 16 proficient wrestlers.

Nov 22, 2023 · His original character, Rocky Maivia, was a nod to his wrestling lineage, combining the names of his father, Rocky Johnson, and grandfather, Peter Maivia. As a plucky clean-cut babyface, he initially embodied the traditional hero persona, but it was his journey of evolution that truly set him apart.

Nov 17, 2021 · Wrestling in dark matches and in Memphis as “Flex Kavana,” Rocky Maivia made his on-air in-ring WWE debut at Survivor Series 1996.