Rocky Johnson, an inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame and the biological father of Dwayne Johnson, passed away on Wednesday.

He was 75 years old.

Johnson first began his career in the National Wrestling Alliance during the 1960s, but gained significant recognition and praise when he became a part of the WWE in the 1980s.Johnson and Tony Atlas made history as the first African-American tag team champions of the promotion, known as The Soul Patrol.Rocky Johnson, often known as the “Soul Man,” ended his wrestling career in 1991 and was later honored with induction into the Hall of Fame in 2008.Dwayne, his son, has carried on his father’s wrestling heritage and successfully transitioned it into a multifaceted sports and entertainment career, primarily focused on producing very successful movies.Occasionally, The Rock does make a comeback to the WWE ring.

The WWE launched a lengthy statement tonight in tribute to the deceased Johnson.

WWE received the unfortunate news of the passing of Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson (birth name Wayde Douglas Bowles), a distinguished member of the WWE Hall of Fame, past champion in the World Tag Team category, and the father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He passed away at the age of 75.

WWE offers its sympathies to the family, friends, and supporters of Johnson.

The NWA expressed their sorrow upon learning about the demise of Rocky Johnson, as stated in their official statement:

“His influence extends to every organization.” He achieved champion status in every place he competed, including his tenure as the holder of the NWA Georgia Championship. We express our condolences and offer our support to his entire family.

Dwayne Johnson adopted the wrestling pseudonym “The Rock” as a tribute to his father.

Rocky and the other individual maintained a strong bond till the day of Rocky’s demise.

The Rock bestowed his father with a pristine automobile and a residence as Christmas gifts.

My father, Rocky Johnson, adheres to a minimalist lifestyle. Indeed, it has consistently been the case. Dwayne described his dad as someone who rarely asks for anything and whose needs have always been minimal over the years.

I admire the enjoyable moments when he would thoroughly defeat me in the gym when I was 13 and assert, “If you feel nauseous, please leave the premises… and if you feel the need to shed tears, then it would be best for you to return to your mother’s care.”

Although I despised it in the past, I now wholeheartedly accept it. Transformed me into a man. Without spoiling my turkey.. A humble expression of gratitude to my father and warm wishes for a joyful Christmas.

After retiring from professional wrestling, Johnson pursued a career as a trainer, mostly focusing on his kid.

Following The Rock’s first match in the wrestling ring, Johnson appeared at WrestleMania 13 to intervene on behalf of his formidable child, aiding in their victory over The Sultan.

Johnson is survived by his son, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as well as his other son, Curtis, and his daughter, Wanda.