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

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging transcript, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Roman Reigns discuss the launch of the UFL, a new football league, and their shared wrestling history. They reminisce about their beginnings in small venues and their family's deep ties to wrestling. The conversation also touches on their upcoming WrestleMania match against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, highlighting the familial rivalry and the significance of the event in wrestling history.

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's creation is a significant achievement, with Dwayne highlighting the league's aim to provide opportunities for players to fulfill their dreams.
  • 📞 Dwayne shares an amusing anecdote about a phone call with Larry David, who proposed ideas to change game rules, showing the influence of the new league.
  • 🥊 Roman Reigns reminisces about his early wrestling career, performing in front of as few as two people and taking requests from the audience.
  • 🎉 The conversation reflects on the historical success of their recent event in Brooklyn, setting a record for the highest-grossing 'Raw' in U.S. history.
  • 👚‍👩‍👧‍👊 Both Dwayne and Roman come from摔跀䞖家, with deep-rooted ties in the industry spanning three generations, and their fathers were also wrestlers.
  • 🏆 Highlighting a memorable WrestleMania 13 moment where Dwayne made his debut alongside his father, Rocky Johnson, in a match that left a lasting impact.
  • 🀌‍♂ The family connection extends to their opponents, with The Sultan (Rikishi) being their cousin, emphasizing the tight-knit community within wrestling.
  • 🥊 Anticipation is high for the upcoming WrestleMania XL, with Dwayne and Roman preparing for a high-profile match against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.
  • 🌟 Dwayne's return to the wrestling ring is a significant event, aiming to create the biggest WrestleMania ever and showcasing the power of their family in pro wrestling.

Q & A

  • What significant event did Dwayne Johnson recently accomplish?

    -Dwayne Johnson recently launched a new football franchise called the United Football League (UFL), which is a combination of the XFL and USFL.

  • How did Larry David influence the UFL?

    -Larry David contacted Dwayne Johnson with ideas to change the rules of the game, particularly expressing his dislike for kickers deciding the outcome of games. This led to a spirited conversation and some rule tweaks in the UFL.

  • What is the significance of the belt that Dwayne Johnson brought to the show?

    -The belt Dwayne Johnson brought to the show signifies his success and status, as it is a symbol of his achievements in the wrestling world and his new football franchise.

  • 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 only two people.

  • What record was broken during the Brooklyn event that Roman Reigns and The Tribal Chief attended?

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

  • How is wrestling a family business for Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns?

    -Wrestling is a family business for Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns because their fathers were wrestlers, and they have deep-rooted ties to wrestling that span over three generations.

  • What notable moment did Dwayne Johnson share about his father, Rocky Johnson?

    -Dwayne Johnson shared a memorable moment of his father, Rocky Johnson, at WrestleMania 13, where Rocky had an impressive performance alongside The Rock, which Rocky considered the most special moment of his career.

  • Who are the opponents that Roman Reigns and The Rock will be facing at the upcoming WrestleMania?

    -Roman Reigns and The Rock will be facing Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, who are likened to the Joker and Luke Skywalker, respectively, at the upcoming WrestleMania.

  • What is the main goal of Roman Reigns and The Rock's match at WrestleMania?

    -The main goal of Roman Reigns and The Rock's match at WrestleMania is to display the power of their family in pro wrestling and to close the book completely on Cody Rhodes' pursuit of Reigns.

  • How is the atmosphere in the wrestling roster described by Roman Reigns?

    -Roman Reigns describes the atmosphere in the wrestling roster as a shark tank, where everyone believes they're number one and are trying to take each other out.

  • What is the significance of the picture of Roman Reigns with his dad and Hulk Hogan?

    -The picture of Roman Reigns with his dad and Hulk Hogan is significant as it shows the deep-rooted family ties in wrestling and the influence of larger-than-life figures in their lives during the 1980s.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 Launch of the United Football League and Conversation with Larry David

The paragraph begins with a warm welcome and quickly transitions into discussing the launch of the UFL, the United Football League, which is a combination of the XFL and USFL. The speaker expresses gratitude for the support received and highlights the league's aim to create opportunities for players to achieve their dreams. An interesting anecdote is shared about a phone call with Larry David, who proposed changes to the game's rules, particularly regarding kickers. The conversation reflects the influence and adoption of some UFL rules by the NFL, showcasing the league's innovation in football.

05:01

🀌‍♂ Wrestling Roots and Memorable WrestleMania Moments

This paragraph delves into the wrestling history and family ties of the speakers, revealing that they are cousins with a shared passion for the sport. It discusses their humble beginnings in small venues and minimal audiences, contrasting with their later successes in sold-out events like the historic Brooklyn show. The paragraph also pays homage to their fathers, who were also wrestlers, and shares a memorable WrestleMania moment where the speaker's father, Rocky Johnson, made a significant impact. The familial connection extends to other wrestlers, including the fathers of The Usos and Cody Rhodes, emphasizing the tight-knit community within the wrestling world.

10:03

🥳 Anticipating WrestleMania XL and the Main Event

The final paragraph focuses on the upcoming WrestleMania XL event, with the speakers expressing excitement about their participation. They discuss the strategic planning behind creating a main event that could make this WrestleMania the biggest of all time. The paragraph also mentions the streaming details for the event on Peacock, providing the audience with information on when and how to watch. The anticipation for the event is palpable, and the speakers' dedication to delivering an unforgettable experience for the fans is evident.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Belt

In the context of the video, 'belt' refers to a championship title in professional wrestling, symbolizing the winner's dominance and achievement. It is a physical representation of the wrestler's status and success. The mention of the belt at the beginning of the transcript highlights its significance and sets the stage for the discussion of achievements and upcoming events.

💡Tequila

Tequila is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila in Mexico. In the video, it is mentioned as part of the celebratory atmosphere following the successful launch of the UFL, indicating a moment of relaxation and enjoyment among the participants.

💡UFL

UFL stands for the United Football League, which is a new football franchise mentioned in the transcript. It represents a significant achievement for Dwayne as he discusses its launch and success. The UFL combines elements from the XFL and USFL, aiming to provide opportunities for players and to innovate within the sports industry.

💡Larry David

Larry David is an American comedian, writer, actor, and producer, known for his work on 'Seinfeld' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. In the transcript, his call to Dwayne suggests a humorous and unexpected interaction, where he proposes changes to the game's rules, reflecting his well-known aversion to kickers in football. This exchange adds a layer of entertainment and lightheartedness to the discussion.

💡WrestleMania

WrestleMania is an annual professional wrestling event produced by WWE, one of the biggest and most popular pay-per-view events in the wrestling world. It is a showcase of the top talent and storylines in wrestling, often featuring high-stakes matches and dramatic moments. In the transcript, WrestleMania is central to the discussion, with references to past events and the anticipation of upcoming matches.

💡Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is a professional wrestler and a prominent figure in WWE. In the transcript, he is referred to as 'The Tribal Chief' and is involved in a discussion about his wrestling career, family history in the business, and upcoming matches. His character and experiences are integral to the narrative of the video, illustrating the personal and familial aspects of professional wrestling.

💡The Final Boss

The term 'The Final Boss' is used as a nickname for Dwayne Johnson in the context of the video. It suggests a powerful and authoritative figure, often the last challenge in a video game, which metaphorically applies to Dwayne's role in wrestling as a dominant and influential presence. The nickname encapsulates his status and the respect he commands in the wrestling world.

💡Family Business

The concept of a '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 multiple generations for both Dwayne and Roman. Their family histories in the wrestling industry are a source of pride and a significant part of their personal narratives.

💡Tag Team

A 'tag team' in professional wrestling consists of two or more wrestlers who work together as partners in a match. The concept is significant in the video as it is used to discuss the historical achievements of their family members, who were tag team champions in WWE. It also illustrates the collaborative aspect of wrestling and the importance of teamwork.

💡Wrestling Legacy

Wrestling legacy refers to the historical impact and contributions made by individuals or families within the wrestling industry. In the transcript, the emphasis on family ties and past achievements highlights the importance of legacy in shaping the wrestlers' identities and their place in the sport's history.

💡Promotion

Promotion in the context of professional wrestling refers to the process of marketing and publicizing events, matches, or wrestlers to generate interest and attract audiences. The successful promotion of WrestleMania and the UFL is a key topic in the transcript, showcasing the strategic efforts behind creating memorable and lucrative events.

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 achieve their dreams.

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

Some rule tweaks in the UFL have been adopted by the NFL, indicating the league's innovative approach to the game.

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 deep-rooted 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 career highlight for Rocky.

The opponent in Dwayne's WrestleMania 13 match, The Sultan, is also related to Dwayne and Roman as their cousin.

Roman Reigns and The Shield, including Seth Rollins, performed at WrestleMania 29, marking a significant moment in their careers.

Upcoming WrestleMania event will feature a high-stakes match between Roman Reigns and The Rock against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.

Roman Reigns describes Cody Rhodes as trying to finish his story, but Roman aims to close that book completely.

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

The goal for the upcoming WrestleMania event is to create the biggest WrestleMania of all time by featuring Dwayne and Roman in a main event.

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

Transcripts

00:01

-Welcome, welcome. Welcome back.

00:02

Please, we have a lot to discuss.

00:05

You brought the belt. Come on.

00:07

The belt. Look at this right here.

00:10

That's what I'm talking about. -That guy -- he loves it.

00:11

He loves it. Yeah. -Oh, my gosh. It's so heavy.

00:15

-We were backstage literally 15 seconds ago,

00:18

and I was like, "Look at this.

00:20

He's carrying his belt.

00:21

He looks like a million dollars."

00:22

I got a bottle of tequila in my hand right back there.

00:24

-He's back there swinging it. Yeah, yeah.

00:27

-Come on. Why not? Dwayne, are you celebrating?

00:30

Because you just launched a giant new football franchise.

00:32

-We did. We launched -- Thank you so much.

00:34

[ Cheers and applause ] -I mean, it's a big hit.

00:36

-Thank you. -UFL.

00:37

-We launched. We finally launched the UFL,

00:39

the United Football League -- combination of the XFL and USFL.

00:43

And it was just -- We had an amazing weekend.

00:46

Thank you so much for your support.

00:47

And I always like to say, the best thing --

00:49

And we're former football players, too, as well.

00:52

I always say, the best thing about this league,

00:54

about the UFL, is just creating opportunities

00:57

for players to live their dreams.

00:59

So thank you guys so much. [ Cheers and applause ]

01:01

-Congrats. I'm so psyched. It was a big --

01:04

I read somewhere -- and tell me if it's true or not true --

01:07

but did Larry David call you

01:09

and have an idea to change the rules of the game?

01:13

-No, dude, yes.

01:14

So, I get a call from Larry David.

01:16

-You have to tell.

01:17

-So, Ari Emanuel, who's my agent,

01:19

longtime business partner -- he calls Ari.

01:22

Ari is like, "Okay, let me get you in contact with Dwayne."

01:24

So Larry David calls me.

01:25

First of all, Larry's [bleep] crazy.

01:28

So, he calls me and he --

01:30

Larry, if you guys don't know, he is so kicker-adverse.

01:36

He hates this idea that they'll play a game

01:39

and the players will leave it all out on the field,

01:41

and at the end of the game,

01:42

it can, at times, come down to the kicker.

01:45

-Yeah. -He hates that idea.

01:47

So he called me.

01:48

He goes, "Y-Y-You're going to launch the new league, right?"

01:51

I do a terrible Larry David.

01:53

-That's pretty good. I like that.

01:54

-I said, "I am, yes."

01:57

And he goes, "Well, what -- what can we do about the kickers?

02:00

Do we need the kickers?"

02:02

So we had this spirited conversation.

02:04

And we need the kickers, by the way,

02:07

because kickers are an amazing part and component

02:09

of football, as we know.

02:11

But we did tweak some of the rules a little bit in the UFL,

02:15

which, by the way,

02:16

the NFL has adopted some of our rulings, too, as well.

02:19

-Oh, really? Yeah, you need the kickers.

02:20

That's the foot part of football.

02:21

-That's -- Yeah.

02:23

I mean, you definitely need them.

02:24

-Nothing but love for the kickers right now.

02:26

-I love that Larry David called you.

02:28

-But, no, dude, it was the greatest phone call

02:29

to get from Larry David.

02:31

We had never spoken before.

02:32

And he's awesome. He's brilliant.

02:34

-Did you feel like you were on an episode of "Curb"?

02:35

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

02:37

Like the final episode of "Curb."

02:38

I should be in that episode. -You should be. Yeah, yeah.

02:40

I want to talk about this.

02:41

It's a big deal, what's happening, WrestleMania.

02:44

Obviously -- I know, the whole weekend.

02:46

Everyone's excited about this.

02:48

But you guys had to start somewhere.

02:49

What's like -- Do you remember, Roman,

02:51

when you first started?

02:52

Like, what were those gigs like?

02:53

-Oh, gosh.

02:55

Well, I mean, it could have been anywhere.

02:57

We could have done it in a parking lot,

02:59

a used-cars parking lot.

03:01

It could have been a fairground. -Did you really?

03:03

-Yeah. -How many people in the crowds?

03:05

-The lightest show I've ever done was two people.

03:08

Yeah. -Wow.

03:09

-Just two, yeah.

03:10

Yeah, it got so bad that I was asking --

03:12

I was, like, asking for requests.

03:14

Like, "What do you want to see? You want a body slam?"

03:18

-Yeah. "I can give you that.

03:19

I'll give you whatever you want." Yeah.

03:21

-So it's been bad, but we're in a really, really

03:24

good place right now.

03:25

-I mean, you go from that to Brooklyn the other day,

03:29

which was sold out, made history.

03:31

-Amazing. So, we did -- Whoo! Yes, thank you.

03:34

[ Cheers and applause ]

03:36

And we -- "The Tribal Chief," our universal champion,

03:41

and myself, "The Final Boss" -- we were there in Brooklyn.

03:43

And in Brooklyn, we did -- We broke a record.

03:46

It was the highest-grossing "Raw" in U.S. history,

03:49

which says a lot.

03:50

Yeah. Really incredible. -That's amazing.

03:53

-I mean, it was really, really special.

03:54

You know, and now that I'm back and in the grind of it all,

04:00

as he has been for years now, carrying the company,

04:03

things like that, you try to stay as present

04:06

as possible, because it moves.

04:08

And the very next night, you're someplace else,

04:10

in a different city.

04:11

But we had to take a moment last Monday just to recognize

04:14

just wow and how cool it is that we're in this position.

04:17

I mean, look, as Roman was saying,

04:19

we both came from wrestling in flea markets,

04:22

and used-car dealerships and making 40 bucks a match

04:25

to making a little bit more than that.

04:28

And, you know, this guy's a champion, and times are good.

04:31

-It's a very much a family business for both of you guys.

04:38

You both have deep-rooted ties into wrestling.

04:41

Span over three generations.

04:43

In fact, I found this wrestling card here.

04:46

Do you recognize this? Look at this.

04:47

-Wow. Look at that.

04:49

-That's Dwayne's dad, Rocky, wrestling against Roman's dad,

04:53

Sika, to become the WWE tag team champ.

04:56

-That's amazing. So, for you guys

04:57

that don't know, Roman and I are family.

04:59

We're cousins.

05:01

Our dads wrestled against each other in the '80s.

05:03

And, as a matter of fact, his dad and our uncle,

05:07

Afa and Sika, they were the first Samoan

05:10

tag team champions of the WWE.

05:13

And then my dad and Tony Atlas became

05:17

the first black tag team champions of WWE,

05:19

beating our -- his dad and my uncle.

05:23

So it goes way back. -It is really deep, yeah.

05:25

-Yeah. -Yeah. Here's you.

05:29

I have a picture of you, Roman, with your dad and Hulk Hogan.

05:33

Look at this kid right here.

05:35

Look at you. Come on.

05:37

-Alright, don't mind the haircut.

05:39

That's how we did it in the '80s, guys, alright?

05:41

So, yeah.

05:42

-Were situations like this just normal for you guys?

05:44

Did you go to the barbecue, and people would just be

05:46

flipping people into tables and stuff?

05:48

-I'm pretty sure I thought Hulk was my uncle at this point.

05:51

I'm like, "Why has he got blonde hair?"

05:53

'Cause everybody in our family is huge and bigger,

05:55

you know, larger than life, so that's --

05:57

-You just got used to that. -You just get used to it, yeah.

05:59

It's a little bit of a conditioning effect,

06:01

but those are always great moments to look back on, yeah.

06:03

-Yeah.

06:05

Dwayne, you made your debut, WrestleMania debut,

06:09

in WrestleMania 13.

06:10

-I did.

06:12

-Something very special happened at this,

06:14

and I want to share a clip.

06:15

Look at this. -That's Rocky Johnson!

06:17

That's Rocky Maivia's dad! That's Rocky Johnson!

06:21

The Sheik is begging for mercy! He's scooped up and slammed!

06:24

-Oh, no!

06:28

-Get out, Sheik! -And wait a minute.

06:30

Look at this.

06:31

Rocky Johnson scoops him up and slams The Sheik, as well!

06:35

Father and son rocking the house here,

06:37

ladies and gentlemen, at WrestleMania 13.

06:41

-Wow. -That's your dad.

06:43

-Wow. That's my dad.

06:47

-[ Chants ] You've still got it! -Yeah, hat's right.

06:49

-That's my dad. Really, that was amazing.

06:51

And I tell you, that was very special.

06:53

For my dad, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020,

06:57

he always said that that was the most special moment

07:00

of his entire career.

07:01

It was really awesome, so that was very cool.

07:03

-That's so cool you got to do that.

07:04

That's amazing you got to do that.

07:06

-Yes. And, by the way, how about this?

07:08

So, the guy who we were wrestling,

07:10

who I was wrestling, The Sultan, is our family, too,

07:13

is our cousin.

07:14

That's the Usos' dad.

07:15

-Yeah, that's the dad of the Usos.

07:18

That's Rikishi. -No way.

07:19

-Yeah, that's our cousin. -No way. Isn't that hilarious?

07:22

-That's how we do it.

07:23

We're just always working together, you know?

07:24

-Why not?

07:26

-Or sometimes against each other, but it's all love.

07:27

It really is.

07:28

-Yeah, we can relate to that at Thanksgiving.

07:30

Yeah, we all can relate to that.

07:32

Roman, here's a picture of you here.

07:34

This is WrestleMania 29 with The Shield.

07:37

Who's this gentleman here you're with, you're wrestling with?

07:39

-Oh, what do we call him nowadays?

07:42

Clown emoji?

07:44

Yeah. So, that's Seth Rollins.

07:46

He was a former "chosen" family member,

07:50

but you know how that goes.

07:51

-He's one of the two who we're gonna lay the smackdown

07:53

on that candy ass this coming Saturday.

07:54

[ Cheers and applause ] Seth Rollins.

07:56

-It's Roman Reigns and the Rock versus

07:58

Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.

08:01

Now, it's been a bloody past several weeks,

08:04

I will say, by the way.

08:06

It has been. -Blood has been shed.

08:07

-Whoo! -Wow. You like the blood.

08:11

-We got a blood corner up there.

08:12

-'Cause Cody keeps trying to "finish his story."

08:15

That's what the thing, Cody is just trying to finish his story.

08:17

Can you explain what that is

08:19

and what people have to expect come this Saturday night?

08:23

-I think Cody's reading the wrong book at this point,

08:25

because we don't care about his story.

08:28

This -- It's a funny thing,

08:30

because you told me this a long time ago.

08:32

In the wrestling business, there's no call sheet.

08:36

There's no, you know, like, "He's number one,

08:37

he's number two."

08:38

So everybody in our roster believes they're number one.

08:41

So it's just a shark tank.

08:43

Everybody is trying to take each other out.

08:45

And this guy's been chasing me for two years now.

08:48

I've beaten him.

08:49

We've crossed this bridge already.

08:51

So this is where we close the book completely

08:54

on this guy, Cody Rhodes, and we display what

08:57

the most powerful family in pro wrestling is all about.

09:00

That's what this weekend, to me, is all about.

09:02

-That's it. Yes. Yes. [ Cheers and applause ]

09:06

Yes.

09:07

-You think that's what's gonna go down?

09:09

-We -- Well, do I think that's what's going to go down?

09:11

I know that's what's gonna go down.

09:12

-Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. I apologize.

09:15

-We're about chisel this in stone here pretty soon.

09:17

-Look, here's what you have.

09:18

You have a guy named Cody Rhodes.

09:20

For those of you who may not know,

09:21

Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins --

09:23

they're both bad-asses in their own right.

09:26

They're -- I liken Cody Rhodes to Luke Skywalker.

09:29

True? And I liken Seth Rollins to the Joker.

09:33

Yeah, so these guys are really unique, kind of crazy guys,

09:37

but, also, at the end of the day,

09:39

as my cousin was saying, there can only be one,

09:44

and when there is only one,

09:46

you have The Tribal Chief and you have The Final Boss.

09:48

And when The Final Boss... [ Cheers and applause ]

09:52

And so I have the pleasure of getting back into the ring.

09:56

I've been working my ass off for the past three --

09:58

-Whoo! -Thank you. Whoo!

10:00

-Yeah.

10:02

Looking good, bud. -I've been working hard.

10:04

He's been working with me.

10:05

So we'll see what we're going to do, but I cannot wait.

10:07

The whole idea, by the way, to bring us all together like this

10:10

and Roman and I together like this was just to --

10:12

What can we do to create a main event for WrestleMania

10:17

that we could say is the biggest WrestleMania of all time?

10:21

And so here we are. -That's what I'm talking about.

10:23

I'm so excited.

10:25

Dwayne Johnson, Roman Reigns, everybody.

10:27

WrestleMania XL will be streaming live on Peacock

10:31

this Saturday and Sunday beginning at 7:00 p.m.