Honestly, most people went into Young Rock Season 1 expecting a standard, glossy sitcom about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. You know the type. A few jokes about fanny packs, some "smell what I’m cookin’" catchphrases, and a lot of ego. But what we actually got when it premiered on NBC was something way weirder and, frankly, much more interesting. It’s a weirdly touching time-traveling memoir that manages to juggle three different versions of the same guy without feeling like a mess.
If you grew up watching wrestling, or even if you just know The Rock as that guy from the Fast & Furious movies who refuses to lose a fight, the first season is a revelation. It’s not just about Dwayne. It’s about the "Forest Gump" of professional wrestling.
The Narrative Frame: President Johnson?
The show kicks off in the year 2032. Dwayne Johnson is running for President of the United States. It’s a cheeky nod to the real-life rumors that have followed him for years. He’s being interviewed by Randall Park (playing himself), and that’s how we get into the flashbacks.
While the 2032 stuff can feel a bit "campaign ad" at times, it serves a purpose. It grounds the chaos of his childhood. We see three distinct eras:
- Hawaii, 1982: Little Dewey (Adrian Groulx) is ten years old. This is the golden era. His dad, Rocky Johnson, is a superstar. He’s surrounded by giants like André the Giant and the Iron Sheik. Life is colorful, but the cracks are starting to show.
- Pennsylvania, 1987: Teenage Dwayne (Bradley Constant) is a high schooler trying to fit in. He’s buying fake Gucci from the flea market to impress girls and getting arrested for theft. It’s the "awkward years" on steroids.
- Miami, 1990: College Dwayne (Uli Latukefu) is a defensive tackle for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He’s a beast. He’s on top of the world until a devastating injury sidelines his NFL dreams.
Why the 1982 Flashbacks Steal the Show
The heart of Young Rock Season 1 isn't actually Dwayne. It’s the legends.
Seeing André the Giant portrayed as a gentle, beer-drinking uncle who picks up little Dewey like a toy is pure magic. Matthew Willig, who plays André, captures that specific brand of lonely majesty the real André possessed. The show gets the details right, too. It doesn't shy away from the fact that pro wrestling in the early 80s was a "carnit-style" business.
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One minute, Rocky Johnson (Joseph Lee Anderson) is main-eventing in front of thousands; the next, he’s struggling to pay the rent because the "territory" system is collapsing. It’s a brutal look at the gig economy before the gig economy was a thing. Joseph Lee Anderson plays Rocky with this incredible, frustrating charisma. You see why Dwayne idolized him, but you also see the toll the "fake" world takes on a real family.
The Struggle for "The Look" in 1987
In the 1987 timeline, we see a version of The Rock that most fans won't recognize. He’s got a mustache. He’s huge. He looks like a 30-year-old undercover cop.
This is where the show gets its best comedic mileage. Bradley Constant nails the insecurity of a kid who looks like a man but feels like a loser. He’s stealing clothes. He’s lying to his classmates about being rich. It’s a relatable, if slightly extreme, take on the "fake it 'til you make it" mentality that eventually defined The Rock’s wrestling persona.
The relationship between Dwayne and his mother, Ata Johnson (Stacey Leilua), is the anchor here. While Rocky is out chasing the dream, Ata is cleaning houses to keep the lights on. It’s the most "human" part of the series. It cuts through the celebrity gloss and shows the grit required to survive when the wrestling checks stop coming in.
Miami Hurricanes and the Death of a Dream
Then we have the 1990s. This is probably the most "important" segment for understanding who Dwayne Johnson is today. At Miami, he was surrounded by future NFL legends like Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp. He was a starter. He was fast. He was strong.
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And then his shoulder gave out.
Young Rock Season 1 does a great job depicting the depression that follows when a young athlete's identity is stripped away. Seeing Uli Latukefu’s Dwayne slump onto his parents' couch with only $7 in his pocket is a powerful image. It’s the origin story of "Seven Bucks Productions." It’s not just a cute name for a company; it was his literal reality.
The contrast between the flashy, confident "The U" culture and the bleakness of moving back into a tiny apartment with his parents is stark. It’s the low point that makes the eventual rise feel earned.
Factual Accuracy: What’s Real and What’s "Wrestling Real"?
Is everything in Young Rock Season 1 100% accurate? Well, it’s told by a guy running for President, so there’s some "polishing" of the truth. But the broad strokes are remarkably faithful to Johnson’s autobiography, The Rock Says.
- The Wrestling Legends: The depictions of the Junkyard Dog, the Iron Sheik, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage are based on real locker room stories. The Sheik really did call everyone "jabroni."
- The Eviction: The scene where the family is evicted from their Hawaii apartment and finds the padlock on the door is a direct lift from Johnson’s real life. It happened when he was 14. That was his "turning point" moment.
- The Tequila: Yes, the 2032 version of Dwayne is constantly drinking Teremana. That’s just good marketing.
The show manages to honor the history of the WWF (now WWE) without becoming a boring documentary. It captures the feeling of being a wrestling "brat"—growing up in hotel rooms and gymnasiums.
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The Production Value and Aesthetic
Visually, the show is a blast. The 80s Hawaii scenes are saturated with neon and tropical vibrance. The 80s Pennsylvania scenes are muted and grey, reflecting Dwayne’s mood. The transition between these eras is handled with surprisingly tight editing.
The casting is the real MVP here. Finding three actors who look enough like Dwayne Johnson to be believable, but who can also carry their own emotional weight, was a massive task. They pulled it off. You never feel like you’re waiting for one era to end so you can get to the "good" one. They all work.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Show
A common criticism is that the show is too "nice." People expected more "Attitude Era" grit. But that’s not what this is. This is a family sitcom. It’s meant to be watched with your kids.
It’s about the lessons learned from failure. Each episode usually ends with a "moral," which could feel cheesy, but because it’s coming from a guy who actually lived through these wild swings of fortune, it lands. It’s a show about resilience.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and New Watchers
If you're looking to dive into the world of the Brahma Bull, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch for the Easter Eggs: If you’re a wrestling fan, keep your eyes on the background of the 1982 scenes. The posters, the gear, and the casual cameos from characters like Captain Lou Albano are spot on.
- Contextualize with the Autobiography: Read The Rock Says (published in 2000). It’s fascinating to see which stories from the book made it into the show and which were softened for a 2020s audience.
- Focus on the Mother-Son Dynamic: Pay close attention to Stacey Leilua’s performance as Ata. She is the true protagonist of the 1980s timelines. Her resilience is arguably more impressive than Dwayne’s.
- Check Out the "Young Rock" Social Media: During the original airing, Dwayne Johnson shared a lot of "behind the scenes" photos of the real people portrayed in the show. Comparing the actors to the real-life wrestlers adds a layer of appreciation for the casting department.
- Don't Skip the 2032 Scenes: Even if the political stuff feels dry, the dialogue between Dwayne and Randall Park often contains the most direct "meta" commentary on his life and career.
The first season sets a high bar because it isn't afraid to show the "Great One" as a broke, insecure, and occasionally dishonest kid. It’s that vulnerability that makes the show more than just a vanity project. It’s a love letter to a bygone era of professional wrestling and a tribute to the family that survived it.
Next Steps for Deep Diving into Wrestling History:
- Research the "Territory System": To understand why the 1982 scenes are so chaotic, look up how pro wrestling was divided into regional promotions before Vince McMahon took over.
- Explore the "University of Miami 1991 Season": Look up the roster for that year. It’s genuinely insane how many NFL Hall of Famers played alongside Dwayne Johnson.
- Study Rocky Johnson’s Career: Watch old footage of Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson on YouTube. You’ll see exactly where Dwayne got his footwork and his legendary charisma.