Fightful is sad to report that Rocky Johnson has passed away at the age of 75.
Johnson is the father of The Rock and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a former WWF Tag Team Champion alongside Tony Atlas and a two-time NWA Television Champion. He retired in 1991 and began to help train his son for his pro wrestling career. Rocky Johnson appeared alongside The Rock at WrestleMania 13.
Johnson last competed in an exhibition boxing match against Mabel in 2003. He wrestled all over the world including WWF, NWA, NJPW, Stampede Wrestling, WWC, and more.
Cauliflower Alley Club first confirmed the passing of Rocky Johnson.
Horrible news to pass along. We just learned that Rocky Johnson passed away today at the age of 75. His accolades in this business, all the people he influenced, all his accomplishments, and we are so deeply sorry and wish his family nothing but the most love at this time pic.twitter.com/3AvzVwylPH
— CauliflowerAlleyClub (@CACReunion) January 15, 2020
WWE issued the following statement on his passing.
WWE is saddened to learn that Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), a WWE Hall of Famer and former World Tag Team Champion, 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 would go on to find his highest levels of success when he began his WWE tenure in 1983.
Following his debut in 1983, Johnson had several memorable rivalries with the likes of Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Don Muraco and Adrian Adonis. However, alongside Tony Atlas, Johnson is best remembered for being the first African-American World Tag Team Champions in WWE history as a member of The Soul Patrol.
The “Soul Man” retired from the ring in 1991, but his imprint would continue to be felt on WWE for years to come. Post-retirement, Johnson would go on to have 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 Johnson’s name 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.
Fightful would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Rocky Johnson.
