WWE icon The Rock was moved to tears after watching an emotional tribute to his late father, Rocky Johnson.
Johnson, who had a three-year stint with the WWE from 1982 to 1985, passed away in January 2020 aged 75 after suffering from a pulmonary embolism.
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The late Johnson – real name Wayde Douglas Bowles – made WWE history with Tony Atlas in 1983 when they became the first black titleholders in the promotion’s history by capturing the tag team titles.
The Rock – real name Dwayne Johnson – recently shared a WWE-produced tribute to his dad on his Instagram page to mark Black History Month.
And he couldn’t help but shed a tear when recapping the impact his late father had not only on himself but other black wrestlers around the globe.
He said: “When I saw the picture, the reason it moved me so much, because it was just this amazing picture as they had just won the tag team titles, him and Tony Atlas.
“They became the first black tag team champions in the history of the WWE.
“In that moment there was just this unbridled joy and pride that my dad had, I saw it on his face.
“I thought, ‘Man, I would have loved to have, I would love to have given him a hug and just say I’m proud of you’ and you did it.”
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Johnson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 along with his father-in-law ‘High Chief’ Peter Maiva.
Further reflecting on his late father, The Rock said: “My dad was a strong, tough guy.
“And hardened by all the different kind of beatings life gave him.
“But I know he ALWAYS appreciated (and smiled!) receiving ‘his flowers’ for all the challenges he overcame and road he paved for all of us of colour, and all of us of ANY colour.
“I get emotional in moments like this because it’s the great reminder to always be as present as possible with your loved ones.
“Because we just never know what’s around the corner and when, just like that — they’re gone.
“My old man wasn’t a big ‘I love you’ guy, but he would always say three things to me as a kid that always stuck with me.
“A day without pain, is like a day without sunshine.
“Respect is given when it’s earned, so go out and earn it. The show must go on.
“Love you, dad. See you down the road and thank you for paving the way.”
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