Rocky Johnson

Rocky Johnson
Johnson in 1983
Birth nameWayde Douglas Bowles
Born(1944-08-24)August 24, 1944
Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
DiedJanuary 15, 2020(2020-01-15) (aged 75)
Lutz, Florida, U.S.
Spouses
  • Una Sparks
    (m. 1966; div. 1978)
  • Ata Maivia
    (m. 1978; div. 2003)
Children8, including Dwayne
FamilyAnoaʻi (by marriage)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Sweet Ebony Diamond
Drew Glasteau
Rocky Johnson
"Soul Man" Johnson
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Billed weight243 lb (110 kg)
Billed fromToronto, Ontario, Canada
Washington, D.C.
Trained byPeter Maivia
Rocky Bollie
Kurt Von Steiger
Debut1964
Retired2004

Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles; August 24, 1944 – January 15, 2020) was a Canadian professional wrestler. Among many National Wrestling Alliance titles, he was the first Black NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion as well as the NWA Television Champion (2 times). He won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1983, along with his partner Tony Atlas, to become the first black champions in WWE history. He was the father of actor and wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and the grandfather of wrestler Simone "Ava" Johnson.