The Rock has paid a heart-wrenching tribute to father Rocky Johnson following his sudden death.
WWE legend Rocky Johnson passed away earlier this week at the age of 75.
In a lengthy post on social media, The Rock – real name Dwayne Johnson – admits he is in pain following his father’s sudden passing.
“Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side,” he writes.
“But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning.’
The Rock vows to carry on his father’s legacy, for breaking barriers as he became a wrestling star.
(Image: FilmMagic)
“You lived a very full, very hard, barrier breaking life and left it all in the ring,” he adds.
“I love you dad and I’ll always be your proud and grateful son.”
Rocky became National Wrestling Alliance Georgia Champion and NWA Southern Heavyweight Memphis Champion as well as a host of other titles across his career.
With partner Tony Atlas, he was part of the first black tag team to win the World Tag Team championship in the World Wrestling Federation.
He retired in 1991 and, along with Pat Patterson, trained son Dwayne to wrestle.
Dwayne would go on to become one of the most synonymous names in wrestling history, becoming a legend in WWE as The Rock.
(Image: WWE)
The Rock message in full
“I love you. You broke color barriers, became a ring legend and trail blazed your way thru this world.
“I was the boy sitting in the seats, watching and adoring you, my hero from afar.
“The boy you raised to always be proud of our cultures and proud of who and what I am.
The boy you raised with the toughest of love. The intense work. The hard hand.
“The adoring boy who wanted to know only your best qualities who then grew to become a man realizing you had other deeply complicated sides that needed to be held and understood. Son to father. Man to man.
“That’s when my adoration turned to respect. And my empathy turned to gratitude.
Grateful that you gave me life. Grateful you gave me life’s invaluable lessons.
“Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side. But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning.
“Gone in an instant and no coming back. Im in pain. But we both know it’s just pain and it’ll pass.
“Now I’ll carry your mana and work ethic with me, as it’s time to move on because I have my family to feed and work to accomplish.
“Finally, I want you to rest your trailblazing soul, Soulman. Pain free, regret free, satisfied and at ease.
“You lived a very full, very hard, barrier breaking life and left it all in the ring.
“I love you dad and I’ll always be your proud and grateful son. Go rest high.”
