Johnson honour well deserved
John Powell - Cineplex Entertainment
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Orlando, Florida - If there was anyone who could bring a touch of class and dignity to WrestleMania 24 it is Rocky Johnson. Johnson and his former tag partner Tony Atlas will enter into the WWE Hall of Fame tonight for all of their career accomplishments. The real satisfaction for Johnson though is that his son Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will be the one presenting the award.
“It means more to me than anything. It means more to me than the award itself,” said Johnson.
Other inductees tonight include Ric Flair, Gordon Solie, Eddie Graham, Gerald and Jack Brisco, Mae Young and 'High Chief' Peter Miavia.
Johnson is very proud of his famous son but admits he did try and convince him not to enter the wrestling business but there was no stopping him. When he was just 12, Dwayne would tape his own wrestling promos, started weight lifting and used his bed as a practice ring.
“I lost count of how many times I had to fix that bed,” laughed Johnson.
An acknowledged pioneer when it comes to breaking down racial barriers and changing the attitudes of how black men should be portrayed in professional wrestling, Johnson was the first black WWF Tag Team Champions with his partner Tony Atlas and the first black man to be the Southern Heavyweight Champion.
“I went through a lot of hard times and it wasn’t about money. It was about walking with my head held up high,” he said reflecting on the battles he had to fight outside of the ring.
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| Rocky Johnson. (Photo: John Powell - Cineplex Entertainment) |
Born in the Maritimes, Johnson left home at 17 with 16 dollars in his pocket and headed for Toronto. It was there he learned about his two passions: pro wrestling and boxing. His first job in Toronto was at Dufferin and Dundas working at a simple car wash.
When Johnson found success in the United States as a wrestler, he was disturbed by the rampant racism. There were times when Johnson was not permitted to rent a hotel room because of the colour of his skin. Johnson’s partner at the time, ‘Jumping’ Jack Johnson, would have to procure the room instead because he was white and the managers would rent willingly to him.
“I never carried that grudge like a lot of people would. That is why I got to where I am today. Not because I was better than anyone. Not because I was a better wrestler because I never thought I was. I don’t regret a thing,” said Johnson, who left various U.S. wrestling territories because of the kind of shameful personas some promoters wanted him to portray on camera.
“I would never be treated like an animal,” said a defiant Johnson.
If he could have one wish, it would be that people remember his legacy as someone who fought against prejudice and paved the way for others to be treated with respect.
“I think it is more special that people remember that I paved the way for many athletes, not only the black ones today. I would like to be remembered for that and not for the Hall of Fame honour,” he said.
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