Young Rock (TV Series)
Working the Gimmick (2021)
Joseph Lee Anderson: Rocky Johnson
Photos
Quotes
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Junkyard Dog : I worked a match in Detroit with Playboy Bobby Riggs. Ton of talent, man. Terrible body.
André the Giant : He looked like a loaf of bread, huh?
The Iron Sheik : Bobby Riggs is funny guy. Like the Burt Reynolds.
Lia Maivia : No, he's gotta work the gimmick. Wild Samoans, Andre the Giant, "Soul Man" Rocky Johnson.
Afa Anoa'i : You can have all the skill in the world, right? But if the audience don't buy your look...
Rocky Johnson : You'll never get over.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 10) : His beige trunks aren't doing him any favors.
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Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : [unaware that his dad had visited the University of Miami] Dad, you were here this morning?
Rocky Johnson : Drove all the way from Tampa to be there when the gym opened. I go out of my way to set my son up for success.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : Yeah, but you didn't even come see me.
Rocky Johnson : Yeah, that would have spoiled the surprise.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : What surprise?
Rocky Johnson : I put you over with the guys. It was your first day in the program, and I wanted to make you look good.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : What, by telling them I was gonna be on a Wheaties box?
Rocky Johnson : Surprise! You're surprised, ain't you?
Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : No, I'm not surprised. I had to cover and tell 'em it was for Wheaties Asia.
Rocky Johnson : Wheaties Asia? No. No, son, you're messing it up. Look, all you gotta do is work the gimmick.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 18-20) : There is no gimmick to work. I'm not gonna be on a Wheaties box!
Rocky Johnson : But they don't know that.
[Dwayne hangs up]
Rocky Johnson : Hello?
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Dwayne Johnson (Age 10) : Dad, how come our car is nicer than where we're staying?
Rocky Johnson : 'Cause the fans don't drive home with us, Dewey. They need to see me leave the arena in style. That's called working the gimmick.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 10) : Hmm, interesting.
Rocky Johnson : Cars, the clothes, the jewelry; they need to think who I am inside the ring is who I am outside the ring.
Ata Johnson : That's why we can't hang out in public with Uncle Iron Sheik.
Rocky Johnson : That's right. And get this: one day, you work the gimmick hard enough, it'll become real.
Dwayne Johnson (Age 10) : It will?
Rocky Johnson : Sure will. Soon, our house will be as nice as our car. Then I gotta buy a better car.