A Prevalent Wrestling Debate Once Became Dwayne Johnson’s Reason to Put a Kid Into Powerful Submission “Hold”

Dwayne Johnson has been a household name for pro wrestling fans since 1996, the year of his debut. While Johnson wasn’t an outsider, he certainly had more interest elsewhere- in football. But that didn’t stop a young Dwayne Johnson from trying out a move that he learned from his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson. Johnson used the move to demonstrate and settle an ongoing debate that has forever followed pro wrestlers.

The incident took place during The Great One’s school-going years as confirmed by his father later in an interview. Speaking to ESPN at one of his son’s college football games in 1983, the Soulman narrated the incident.

Dwayne Johnson used the sleeper hold to prove a point

The sleeper hold was one of the late legend’s weapons of choice, which he would unleash on his opponents. Rocky Johnson would use his right arm to slide underneath the opponent’s chin and form a hold, while his left arm would be wrapped around the head. This hold, when used and sold rightly, rendered the opponent unconscious.

Inspired by his father, Dwayne Johnson used it on one of his classmates. Apparently, he was tired of one of his classmates calling pro wrestling fake. While Johnson was young at that time, this particular take on wrestling has riled many greats, including Hulk Hogan, who once said that the wrestlers would take the bumps for real.

Meanwhile, the said interview took place on the sidelines of the University of Miami’s game against Syracuse on October 23, 1993. The younger Johnson was a backup defensive tackle for the Hurricanes who registered a massive 49-0 victory. During the game, the interviewer asked his father about his son’s conduct in school.

“I taught him the sleeper hold and [he] puts the sleeper hold on the guy and I didn’t show him how to wake the guy up,” Rocky Johnson said. Confused, the interviewer asks the wrestler about the move. Catching him off-guard, Johnson proceeded to use the hold on him.

Read More: Dwayne Johnson’s Father Rocky Johnson Took a Page From Muhammad Ali’s Book to Intimidate His Opponents

Just months prior to this interview, Rocky Johnson was about to script history with the hold against a wrestler who shares a very interesting connection with his son.

When Rocky Johnson’s sleeper hold almost made him the Intercontinental Champion in WWE

Rocky Johnson’s WWE career lasted for only three years, from 1982-1985. But within this short time, he was part of some memorable feuds. He also went on to become the first African American, along with Tony Atlas, to capture a championship in the promotion. They achieved the feat by taking the Tag Team Championship from the Wild Samoans- Afa and Sika.

But just months prior to that, Johnson could have made history by winning the Intercontinental Champion. This bout took place at the iconic Madison Square Gardens on May 23, 1983. The Soulman went toe-to-toe with Don Muraco. After getting tired of Muraco’s tactics of grabbing the ropes and denying him victory, Johnson applied the hold on him, not once, but thrice.

By the third time, Muraco- The Magnificent One- was down and out. The referee made the three-count, but it ended in a curfew draw. Well, according to the olden days, MSG had a rule that the last match had to finish by 11 PM or be counted as a draw. In reality, it was executed as per plans, as there wasn’t a title change happening that night.

By the way, do you know the special connection Muraco shares with The Rock? It’s in the name. Much before Rocky Maivia was rechristened as The Rock, it was Muraco who was often called by that name. Fortunately for Dwayne Johnson, the name worked for him and has since become one of the biggest brands in the pro wrestling world.

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