The Rock Claims He Was Close To Signing With Pride In 1997 And Transitioning From Wrestling To MMA

Click Here To Promote Anything On The Above Place

New York, 17 November - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has claimed that he considered leaving WWE to fight for Pride in 1997.

Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with his position in WWE at the time. He noted that stars in Pride were earning more than he was in WWE, and he found himself intrigued by the rising popularity of MMA. Specifically, he was drawn to Pride, renowned for its more lenient rules and its willingness to feature fighters from diverse disciplines.



Johnson said that he talked to some MMA fighters including Ken Shamrock about making the switch, and he even considered training for Pride himself. However, he ultimately decided to stick with WWE, and he went on to become one of the most successful wrestlers of all time.

The Rock made this revelation during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

“In ‘97, during that time, while I was still going out to L.A. and working out, we were crossing all the MMA guys. Pride just opened up in Japan so I was seeing all these MMA guys going over to Pride. At that time I was making $150,000 wrestling 235 days a year. So do the math of that and how much you’re making per match. We start hearing, hey these guys over in pride are making 250, 350, 500. I thought then, ‘F***, I don’t think I’m going to make it in WWE.’ People are booing me out of the arenas, I can’t be myself, they’re telling me to f****** smile, I don’t want to f****** smile, it’s not who I am.



“I start talking to Ken Shamrock at that time - who was wrestling with us, I run into Mark Kerr, I start talking to him. ‘Tell me a little bit about Pride.’ And I had this idea in my head, maybe I should train in MMA and go to Pride and make money, real money. Then I don’t have to smile. I’m sure I’m going to get f***** up over there, knock one of my lungs loose, but maybe I can do something.”

Many scenarios could have unfolded, but he wouldn't be one of the most successful wrestlers if he had joined Pride. Achieving numerous titles and attaining unparalleled success, The Rock is now recognized as one of the all-time greats, a legacy to be cherished by generations.

Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...