Rocky Johnson was a Canadian-American professional wrestler who competed primarily in the 1960s through the 1980s. Born as Wayde Douglas Bowles on August 24, 1944, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, he became known by his ring name, Rocky Johnson.
Rocky Johnson gained recognition for his athleticism, charisma, and contributions to the world of professional wrestling. He competed for various wrestling promotions, including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE).
One of Johnson’s most notable achievements came in 1983 when he and Tony Atlas formed the tag team known as “The Soul Patrol.” They became the first African-American tag team to win the WWF Tag Team Championship, paving the way for diversity and representation in professional wrestling.
In addition to his in-ring career, Rocky Johnson is also known for being the father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the most successful and recognizable figures in the history of professional wrestling and entertainment.
Rocky Johnson passed away on January 15, 2020, at the age of 75. He is remembered for his contributions to the wrestling industry and for the legacy he left behind, both as a wrestler and as a father to a wrestling icon.