Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns on Going Up Against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in WrestleMania XL

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
3 Apr 202410:55

TLDRIn this engaging transcript, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Roman Reigns discuss the launch of the UFL, a new football league, and their experiences in the wrestling world, including their family ties and memorable moments. They also talk about an upcoming WrestleMania event, where they will face off against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, highlighting the intense rivalry and the family dynamics within the wrestling industry.

Takeaways

  • 🥇 Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Roman Reigns discuss their successful launch of the UFL, a new football league combining elements of the XFL and USFL.
  • 🏈 The UFL has received support and some rule adoption from the NFL, highlighting its growing influence in the sports industry.
  • 📞 Dwayne Johnson shares an amusing anecdote about a phone call with Larry David, discussing potential rule changes for the new football league.
  • 🤼‍♂️ Roman Reigns recalls early wrestling gigs, including performances in front of as few as two people, showcasing the humble beginnings of their careers.
  • 🏆 The discussion highlights the historical success of their families in wrestling, with both Dwayne and Roman coming from a long line of wrestlers.
  • 👨‍👩‍👦 Dwayne and Roman are cousins, and their families have a rich history in wrestling, with their fathers and uncles being notable figures in the WWE.
  • 🎥 A memorable moment from WrestleMania 13 is shared, where Dwayne's father, Rocky Johnson, had a significant match, which was his favorite moment of his career.
  • 🥳 The family connection extends to their opponents, with The Sultan (Rikishi) being related to Dwayne and Roman, emphasizing the tight-knit community in wrestling.
  • 🥊 Upcoming WrestleMania XL is teased, with a high-profile match between Roman Reigns and Dwayne 'The Rock' against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, expected to be a major event.
  • 🌟 The conversation emphasizes the importance of family and legacy in professional wrestling, as well as the hard work and dedication required to reach the top of the industry.

Q & A

  • What significant event did Dwayne Johnson recently launch?

    -Dwayne Johnson recently launched the UFL, the United Football League, which is a combination of the XFL and USFL.

  • How did Larry David contribute to the UFL?

    -Larry David called Dwayne Johnson with an idea to change the rules of the game, particularly focusing on the role of kickers. Some of the UFL's rule changes have been adopted by the NFL as well.

  • What was Roman Reigns' experience like when he first started in the wrestling business?

    -When Roman Reigns first started, he performed in various small venues, including a used-car parking lot, and the smallest crowd he wrestled for consisted of just two people.

  • What record was broken during the 'Raw' event in Brooklyn?

    -The 'Raw' event in Brooklyn broke the record for being the highest-grossing 'Raw' in U.S. history.

  • How is Dwayne Johnson's father, Rocky Johnson, commemorated in the script?

    -Rocky Johnson is commemorated through a discussion of his memorable match at WrestleMania 13, where he teamed up with his son, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, against The Sultan.

  • What is the significance of the family ties between Dwayne Johnson, Roman Reigns, and other wrestlers mentioned in the script?

    -Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns are cousins, and their fathers, Rocky Johnson and Sika, were both wrestlers and tag team champions in the WWE. This family history is significant as it shows a multi-generational legacy in professional wrestling.

  • What is the backstory of the upcoming match between Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes?

    -The upcoming match is a result of a long-standing rivalry between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, with Roman stating that he has beaten Cody multiple times and is ready to close the book on their feud.

  • How does Dwayne Johnson describe his and Roman Reigns' approach to wrestling compared to other wrestlers like Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins?

    -Dwayne Johnson likens Cody Rhodes to Luke Skywalker and Seth Rollins to the Joker, highlighting the unique and 'crazy' nature of these wrestlers. However, he emphasizes that in the end, the most powerful family in pro wrestling, represented by him and Roman Reigns, will prevail.

  • What is the goal of Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns' participation in WrestleMania XL?

    -Their goal is to create a main event that they believe will make WrestleMania XL the biggest WrestleMania of all time.

  • Where and when can viewers watch WrestleMania XL?

    -WrestleMania XL will be streaming live on Peacock on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7:00 p.m.

  • What was the atmosphere like during the interview with Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns?

    -The atmosphere was energetic and filled with excitement, as both Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming WrestleMania event and reflected on their personal and family histories in wrestling.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 Launch of the United Football League (UFL)

The paragraph begins with a warm welcome and quickly transitions into discussing the launch of the UFL, a new football franchise that combines elements of the XFL and USFL. The speaker expresses gratitude for the support received and highlights the success of the league's inaugural weekend. The conversation then takes a humorous turn when discussing a phone call with Larry David, who proposed changes to game rules, particularly focusing on the role of kickers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of kickers in football and mentions that some rule tweaks in the UFL have been adopted by the NFL. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the speaker's background in wrestling and the excitement surrounding WrestleMania.

05:01

🤼‍♂️ Wrestling Roots and Family Legacy

This paragraph delves into the speaker's wrestling heritage, discussing the family connections within the industry and the legacy of Samoan wrestlers. It mentions the historical significance of the speaker's father and uncle as tag team champions in WWE. The conversation includes personal anecdotes, such as childhood memories and experiences with wrestling icons like Hulk Hogan. The speaker also reflects on the special moment of his WrestleMania debut and the impact it had on his father. The paragraph concludes with a discussion about an upcoming match at WrestleMania, emphasizing the familial rivalry and the pride in representing a powerful wrestling family.

10:03

🥳 Anticipating WrestleMania XL

The final paragraph focuses on the excitement and preparations for WrestleMania XL, highlighting the collaborative effort between the speaker and Roman Reigns to create a memorable main event. It discusses the strategic planning to make this WrestleMania the biggest of all time and the anticipation surrounding the event. The paragraph concludes with an announcement about the live streaming details for WrestleMania XL on Peacock, setting the stage for a significant weekend in wrestling history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Belt

In the context of the video, 'belt' refers to a championship title belt in professional wrestling, symbolizing the winner or the current champion of a particular division. It is a prestigious object that wrestlers strive to win and is a central element in wrestling narratives. In the script, the mention of 'the belt' signifies the importance of the championship and the wrestlers' achievements.

💡Tequila

Tequila, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave plant, is often associated with celebration and leisure. In the video, it is used to portray a relaxed and festive atmosphere, indicating a moment of triumph and enjoyment for the wrestlers after their hard work.

💡UFL

UFL stands for the United Football League, which is a new sports league discussed in the video. It represents a significant achievement for Dwayne, who launched it as a combination of the XFL and USFL. The UFL is an opportunity for players to showcase their talents and live their dreams, as mentioned in the script.

💡Larry David

Larry David is an American comedian, writer, actor, and producer, known for his work on 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. In the context of the video, Larry David's call to Dwayne suggests an interest in the new football league and a humorous take on changing game rules, showcasing the influence and reach of entertainment personalities in sports.

💡WrestleMania

WrestleMania is an annual professional wrestling event produced by WWE, one of the biggest spectacles in the wrestling world. It is a major platform for wrestlers to showcase their skills and for the WWE to feature its most significant matches and storylines. The event is not only a wrestling showcase but also a cultural phenomenon.

💡Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is a professional wrestler and a prominent figure in WWE. In the video, he is discussed as 'The Tribal Chief,' the universal champion, and a key player in the upcoming WrestleMania event. His journey from small venues to sold-out arenas like Brooklyn represents the success and growth potential in professional wrestling.

💡Family Business

The term 'family business' refers to a company or enterprise owned and operated by members of a single family. In the context of the video, it highlights the deep-rooted ties to wrestling that span across generations for both Dwayne and Roman, emphasizing the cultural and familial importance of wrestling in their lives.

💡Tag Team Champions

Tag team champions are titles awarded to pairs of wrestlers who excel in tag team competition. In professional wrestling, this format involves two wrestlers per team working cooperatively against another team. The champions are recognized for their teamwork, skill, and success in tag team matches.

💡The Sheik

The Sheik, also known as Iron Sheik, is a nickname for several professional wrestlers who have used the moniker throughout history. In the context of the video, The Sheik is a wrestler that Dwayne's father, Rocky Johnson, faced at WrestleMania 13, showcasing a key moment in wrestling history.

💡Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins is a professional wrestler and former WWE champion. In the video, he is depicted as a former 'chosen' family member, indicating a past alliance or close relationship with Roman Reigns that has since turned adversarial. His character represents a common wrestling narrative of betrayal and rivalry.

💡Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes is a professional wrestler and executive producer, known for his work in WWE and other wrestling promotions. In the context of the video, Cody Rhodes is positioned as a determined and ambitious wrestler seeking to 'finish his story', indicating a personal quest for achievement and recognition in the wrestling world.

Highlights

Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns discuss the launch of the UFL, a new football franchise combining elements of the XFL and USFL.

The UFL had a successful launch and is creating opportunities for players to live their dreams.

Larry David contacted Dwayne Johnson with ideas to change the rules of the game, showing his interest in the new football league.

Some rules in the UFL have been adopted by the NFL, indicating the league's innovative approach to the sport.

Roman Reigns recalls his early wrestling gigs, which included performing in front of as few as two people.

Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns come from a family business of wrestling, with ties spanning three generations.

Dwayne's father, Rocky Johnson, and Roman's father, Sika, were WWE tag team champions in the '80s.

Dwayne Johnson made his WrestleMania debut at WrestleMania 13 alongside his father, which was a special moment for their family.

The opponent in Dwayne's WrestleMania debut, The Sultan, is also related to Dwayne and Roman as their cousin.

Roman Reigns and The Shield, including Seth Rollins, had a historic moment at WrestleMania 29.

Roman Reigns and Dwayne Johnson are set to face Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes in an upcoming WrestleMania event.

Cody Rhodes is trying to 'finish his story', but Roman Reigns suggests that the focus should be on their powerful family in pro wrestling.

Dwayne Johnson likens Cody Rhodes to Luke Skywalker and Seth Rollins to the Joker, highlighting their unique and contrasting personas.

Dwayne and Roman's goal is to create a WrestleMania main event that could be considered the biggest of all time.

WrestleMania XL will be streaming live on Peacock, showcasing the event's accessibility to a wide audience.

Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns' discussion highlights their passion for wrestling and their commitment to the sport.