It may be 2024, but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the central figures in WWE today from a product standpoint. The 51-year-old recently turned heel, sending fans into a frenzy who have expressed their love for the storyline that he is involved in. Being a heel himself, Johnson recently shared a valuable piece of advice for NASCAR’s heel, Denny Hamlin. Both are big names in their respective sports, and it was quite intriguing to see one relate to the other in a way perhaps no one expected to.

Johnson was the star of the WWE during one of its most fruitful periods, the Attitude Era. Fans have often compared the current product of the company to that time, with many believing that things are even better at the moment. One thing is constant in the two periods: The Rock. His heel turn in The Bloodline and Cody Rhodes’ storyline ahead of WrestleMania was a masterstroke, and it’s safe to say that the “People’s Champion” has still got it.

The Rock urges fans to let him and Denny Hamlin “do the talking”

Speaking to the media after the Daytona 500 was postponed due to rain, the former WWE champion explained why being the villain was the best thing in the world. One man who will relate to that is Denny Hamlin. The Rock was asked about the driver of the #11 car when he hailed the JGR star for embracing his villain persona as well as he has in NASCAR.

Hamlin is one of the most outspoken and unapologetic drivers in NASCAR today, and he is proud of it. That’s something that The Rock respects. The former WWE champion explained that being the villain allows one to do and say things others would not be willing to, and the JGR star has been doing that for years now.

“One of the cool things that being a great bad guy or a great villain offers, and this is my advice to Denny, is not only do you embrace it but also get the opportunity to say and do a lot of things that people can’t. A lot of people wish they could but you don’t have to. Let me and Denny do the talking and get the boos,” the 51-year-old said with a smile on his face.

Throughout his career in the WWE, Dwayne Johnson’s character has mostly been the babyface, a.k.a., the good guy. He has had successful heel runs before, but that’s not something he is widely remembered for. However, as far as The Rock was concerned, playing the bad guy was one of the greatest things in the world.

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Dwayne Johnson explains what it takes to be a good villain post-WWE heel-turn

The 51-year-old explained that there was an art to being a great bad guy, especially in professional wrestling where appearances, mic skills, and theatrics play a big role. Few are as skilled as “The Great One” when it comes to all of those things. Despite his age, Johnson is operating on a level perhaps no one expected him to, and he is enjoying every minute of it from the looks of things on TV.

“Being the villain is the greatest thing in the world; it truly is. Now, in my world of professional wrestling,” he said. “I also feel like everybody wants to be the good guy; everyone wants to be loved, cheered on, and considered the hero, which is great and it’s natural; it’s human psychology and desire. But I have felt in my career through my experience. I’ve been very fortunate to have…the rare air is when you have the opportunity and you grab it by the throat and you don’t let it go and that’s the opportunity to be a great bad guy.”

It’s going to be a big year in their respective sports for the two “villains,” with high expectations pinned on both. When it comes to the Cup Series, time is running out for Denny Hamlin to become a Cup Series champion, and it will be interesting to see how he goes about his long-time goal in 2024.

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