Support Us Button Widget

Did you know Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson called Nashville home?

The actor and WWE Superstar is back in the ring this weekend for WrestleMania 40. We’re looking back on his time in Music City.

Dwayne The Rock Johnson posed in fron of Tootsies in Nashville.

Johnson briefly considered a career in country music, inspired by his time living in Nashville. | Photo via Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson via Facebook

This weekend is WrestleMania 40 — aka the Super Bowl of professional wrestling. The two-night WWE event will be held 800 miles away in Philadelphia, but Saturday’s main event features a familiar face with ties to Nashville: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Did you know? Before Johnson rose to fame in the ring and on the big screen, his father’s wrestling career brought him to Music City, where he attended McGavock and Glencliff high schools. Although the celeb graduated in Pennsylvania, he returned to Nashville to start his own pro wrestling career. (In fact, the industry has a deep history here.)

As it turns out, Johnson loves to reminisce on his time hanging out in honky tonks on Lower Broadway. In recent years, he has shared his stories about Nashville on social media (including this yearbook photo), on late night shows, and even “Young Rock,” the NBC sitcom loosely based on his life.

More from NASHtoday
These three mobile bookstores specialize in romance novels and other literary finds.
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
Not ready to log trips? You can also explore Nashville’s transit options at free events this month.
From pizza slices to movie tickets, here’s how to picture Nashville’s record tourism spending.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Fall festival season in Nashville, Tennessee is right around the corner. Add these local events to your calendar to stay busy until the leaves are no longer crunchy.
Football is back. Here’s how to get to the games, tailgate like a pro, and cheer on the Tennessee Titans this 2025 NFL season.
“For decades, this space has fostered creativity and focus, allowing artists to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” the listing reads.
After decades as a scrapyard, this 45-acre East Bank site has sold and is primed for redevelopment — what would you want to see there?
No boat? No problem. Rent one Airbnb-style and start enjoying our local waterways.