In the last four months, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has appeared more frequently on WWE programming and is now poised to take on a larger role behind the scenes.
The parent company of WWE and the UFC, TKO Group Holdings, announced Tuesday that Johnson has been appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately. In a press release, TKO said appointing Johnson reflects the company’s “commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE.”
Johnson also has entered into a services and merchandising agreement with WWE that stipulates his promotional, licensing, and other services, as well as an intellectual property assignment agreement that grants him ownership of the trademarked name, “The Rock.”
Johnson, 51, issued a statement on his appointment to the TKO board of directors, as well as what taking full ownership of “The Rock” means to him.
“My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come,” Johnson said. “Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me, a table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO board of directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock,’ is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari (Emmanuel) is building something truly game changing.
“I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there, and this is for them.”
Johnson’s ties with WWE continue to grow stronger as he joins the TKO board and potentially competes at WrestleMania. If he does compete at the Grandest Stage of Them All, there will be more to come in 2024.
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