Original subtitles

Dwayne, the country needs you in this moment of crisis.

Of course, Mr. President. You mentioned a national emergency.

Yeah.

America is in a difficult position right now. We... Oh.

Sorry.

Chatterbox. You want me to go to the zoo and cover the birth of a baby seal?

Ignore.

Thought you said he wasn't part of the press anymore.

Well, Randall is here as my good friend.

My very quiet good friend.

You're going to throw that key away?

Just throw it, yeah.

There you go. Okay, well, as you know, the global coffee shortage is getting

worse. The people want to scapegoat, and my approval rating is plummeting.

But there is a fix.

Are you familiar with the country of Jeljum?

To comb the gold, silver, and bronze in ski shooting during the 2028 Olympics.

No. Then no.

Small country, fairly insular, tends to keep itself out of the news, but they

have the perfect coffee -growing climate.

Beans to spare.

You throw one bean in the air, two come back in your face.

I've proposed a trade deal with their prime minister, Angela Honig, but she

rejected it immediately.

Why is that?

Because she hates me.

She made that clear at a recent economic forum. It was a hot mic situation.

I mean, how in the world did that idiot get elected?

Have you ever seen a fan?

They are soft as marshmallows, pillowy as a duchess.

Say what?

My mic is what? Oh, my duchess?

Also, my hands are out of frame on purpose.

My hands are my best feature.

The prime minister will never make that deal with me.

I have to be honest. It's getting tough.

I feel like in the eyes of the American people, I can't do anything right. I

understand.

You just can't please the people no matter how hard you try.

Mr. President, can I share a story with you? Ooh, he does this.

Back in 1997, when I was wrestling as Rocky Maivia, I'd gone from

intercontinental champion to afterthought.

Vince McMahon had lost his faith in me as a star. And just to sweeten the pot,

I'd done a real number on my knee in a match against mankind.

Hey, is there like a code that wrestlers use to let each other know an injury is

real? Yeah, it's... Ah, my knee.

Ah, I hurt my knee.

Let's get you out of here.

Now as a babyface, the fans are supposed to love me. Instead, they

absolutely hated me.

Put your body on the line.

It's good to know they appreciate it.

You think this is the type of situation where that saying, add insult to injury,

comes from? Yeah.

Probably, Bruno.

Probably.

Die, Rocky, die!

I just have to smile and take it.

All right? You need buckle?

One of those popcorn crumbs.

It's on my book.

Damn. Lord ain't granting no dignity today.

So, what did the doctor say?

She said no surgery.

So, a couple months of rest and rehab and I'll be good to go. Oh, that's

terrible news, son.

Rocky, no surgery is great news.

Babe, don't sugarcoat it. When a wrestler isn't over with the fans,

are not. Yes, I know. Thank you. When you're not over and you get hurt, it

the WWF an opportunity to cut you loose.

Hey, don't talk to him like that right now. He is delicate.

I'm not delicate.

I say you are delicate. You are delicate, Dewey.

My dad was right. I felt like my career once again hung in the balance and I had

no control of my fate. But my family did the best they could to stay positive.

Honey, do you need another pillow behind your back?

Pretty limited on pillow options. I'll pick you up some more.

Danny doesn't believe in throw pillows.

She says they just take up space.

They just take up what?

Hey. Oh, Danny.

Hi.

Hi, Ada.

How are you?

Babe. How are you feeling? Good.

He's putting on a brave face, Danny.

His career is hanging on by a thread.

Uh, you know what?

Rocky, why don't you show Danny your t -shirt design from the gym? Yes, sir.

Danny, you're a businesswoman. Give me your eyes.

So I had some merch marked up for my wrestling training gym. Okay.

What do you think?

These are all the same. Check the neckline.

Deep, deeper, deepest.

I told him go deepest.

Popped pig, pay rich.

You gotta listen to your partner, Rocky. She's supposed to be a silent partner.

You said that, not me. What?

I think it's great that you invested in Rocky's new endeavor.

Just make sure that you have everything in writing.

We don't need that. We are family.

I'm going to stay out of it.

How's your ice? Do you need a new pack?

No, thanks, Mom.

I'm okay.

You sure you're okay?

Yeah, I'm feeling great.

Rehab went really well. I can put my weight on my knee, no problem.

Ah, it's great to hear, kid. My only complaint is my physical therapist keeps

referring to it as our knee.

Yeah. Good, kid. So when do you think you'll bring me back?

Um, you know, I'll talk to Vince.

When we make a decision, we'll give you a call. Cool, cool.

So like, uh, when?

Exactly!

Listen, I gotta go. Keep up the good work, Dewey. OK.

Anything?

Super vague about when or if they'll bring me back.

It's definitely when, not if. I hope so.

I'm not exactly psyched to go back to being showered with Rocky Sucks chants.

know. But you can't control whether people like you or not.

Well, unfortunately, it's my job to control whether they like me or not.

You know you've got options.

What do you mean?

If wrestling doesn't work out, you'll always have that criminology minor from

Miami.

What do we got?

Detective Johnson, here's the victim.

Oh, God.

Another child.

Actually, sir, victim was a full -grown adult male. You're just really big.

Good job, everybody.

I don't think that's my calling.

Maybe not.

But my point stands.

You have great options in your life, no matter what happens.

Thanks, babe.

Although sometimes it's not about having options.

Sometimes it's about knowing what you want.

Yeah, and you know what you want?

I do.

I do.

Danny and I have been thinking about getting married since we moved in

but between her career and mine, we could never find the right time.

So we embraced my downtime, and we threw the party of our dreams.

After worrying so much about what other people thought of me, I felt really good

to focus on my own happiness for once.

I couldn't be happier for you, son.

Thank you.

She ain't pregnant, is she? Dad, no.

Okay, good.

Because she's drinking a lot for a pregnant woman. Oh, look at all these

gorgeous presents.

Wait, what is that?

It's like a microwave that's also a radio. The presets are defrost, popcorn,

cool 101 .5.

Maybe keep it under your kitchen sink.

It's from Vince.

Is he not here? I thought you said he RSVP'd yes.

He did.

What do you think it means he didn't show?

I'm sure it just means he's busy.

And besides, today's not about the gifts.

It's about my beautiful boy and his darling wife looking gorgeous and happy

their wedding day.

This is going to go on for about an hour or so.

I'm more than good with that.

My mom was right, and I was grateful for all my friends and family that were

there to help me celebrate.

Can you say a few words about Dwayne and Danny on their big day?

Look, I'm not going to say I'm disappointed, but I was really expecting

roasted pig for this occasion.

So, you worked with Danny at Merrill Lynch?

Yep, Danny is the best. Ah, I believe in an unbalanced portfolio, yeah.

Risk!

And aggression.

Now that is what the macho man is all about, baby. Yeah, dig it.

Sorry, I think I'm drinking out of your glass.

Can't keep it straight.

Look, I purposely didn't eat pig yesterday because I thought for sure

were going to have pig today.

Yeah, I found my Lord Dewey and Danny and sorry for asking for that plus one.

She did not want to come.

And there's no.

I'm going to pay you.

So how long do we think until

one of these guys puts their pants on? That's why old Bruno always travels with

a stone, kid.

Oh, look at that. I didn't know Dewey had moves like that.

All right, Dewey. Woo!

That knee looks great, too.

Oh, he's been incredibly diligent with his rehab. I just hope it pays off. You

know how Vince can be.

It's like I always say.

Vince doesn't send a gold plate of microwave that's also a radio to

He doesn't believe it. Oh, that's what you always say, huh?

Hey, that boy's got 10 ,000 lives, and I don't think we've even seen three of

them yet.

All right?

And I've known Dewey since he was yay high.

Come to think of it, I was a kid of headband.

And say a few words about Rocky Johnson's new training gym at the corner

Fremont and Lemon Grove, next to the 24 -Hour Tires.

Go there, Hulkamaniacs!

Hey,

Hulkster. There he is.

Congrats, Newlywed. Hollywood himself. Thanks for coming, brother.

Wouldn't miss it for the world. I guess when the invite said black tie, I forgot

to mention black mustache.

I'll be honest, the bleach job is hell on my nostrils. Oh, yeah, it's hell on

eyes, too.

It's good to see you happy, brother. Thank you.

Look, I've been catching you all raw and feel for you.

Fans can be cruel.

Yeah, I mean, they hate me, Hulk. I mean, tonight's been amazing, but I'd be

lying if I said I wasn't worried about where my career is going.

Look, you've got more personality than what you're showing us, Rocky Maivia.

He's so... Earnest?

I was gonna say punchable.

But yeah, Ernest is good, too.

I just wish I could see you being more of yourself out there. You're good with

words. You should use them. I wish.

Right now, it feels like I'm fighting with one hand tied behind my back.

Well, hey.

Here's to that wish coming true.

Cheers, brother.

You got any lactate?

My tummy ain't much for dairy.

I, uh... Screw it.

I'll hit the dance floor and blame Macho. Hey,

Macho!

Now, what Hulk had said was something that I had been feeling for a while,

was there wasn't enough me in Rocky Maivia.

I just didn't know if I'd ever get the chance to be more authentic.

But, you know, after my wedding, I was in a much better headspace. I had taken

control of what I could, and I was also reminded about how much I love

wrestling. I was in the right place to get a life -changing phone call.

Ready for the Honeymoon Express?

Don't tell anyone I said that. I won't.

In a few hours, we'll be swimming with dolphins in Tahiti. Hey, how many do you

think it'll take to pull me around the pool? Two, maybe three?

Hello? Dwayne, congratulations.

Hey, Vince.

I hear it was a beautiful ceremony.

Yes, yes it was.

Hey, thank you for the microwave.

Don't use it. It's been recalled. Cancer stuff. Terrible product. I'm sending

you a blender instead.

Oh, okay.

So, seems like rehab's been going well. I heard you were out on the dance floor

cutting a rug with that knee.

Yeah, yeah, it has. I feel great. Glad to hear it. Looks like it's time to

you back.

It is?

Great.

Thank you.

What would you think about coming back as a heel?

Heel?

Changing it up.

Honestly, I think that's a great idea.

I've been wanting to shake things up, and I feel like I've got a lot more to

offer the WWF.

We think so, too.

Okay. Excellent.

See you in Biloxi in a week.

Okay.

Biloxi in a week.

That's so weird.

Biloxi was my second choice for Honeymoon Destination.

So Vince's plan was to have me turn heel and join the Nation of Domination.

Now, you've got to understand, back then in the WWF...

They were all about grouping its wrestlers together in crews and in

And they were also about just complete chaos in the best way.

Yeah, I was a big Heart Foundation fan.

I like a guy with the confidence to wear pink pants.

Well, our gimmick in the nation was militant black badasses. And I was put

by our leader and one of my good friends, the legendary Ron Simmons, who

Farouk. The official, not silly on that one.

Wait a minute. There's Rocky Maivia.

What's he doing in a ring?

I love Vince's plan for my match.

I go from a punchable good guy to one bad dude.

Wait, that was your bad dude look? Are those denim shorts?

Hey, that was the fashion of the time.

What? Wait a minute.

Rocky Maivia's rehabilitation for his knee injury has been complete.

Then Vince had Farouk make me an offer.

Does sweet, smiling Rocky Maivia join the nation?

And when I finally accepted, I was really sure I was going to blow

mind. Whoa, I think we have a new member of the nation.

I remember that. That looks pretty badass.

I thought so, too.

You know who didn't think that?

The crowd.

Happy to have you with us, Rob.

Hey, it's an honor to be with you guys.

Hey, uh, be honest.

I get a pop at all out there.

Felt quiet.

Well, I always shoot you straight.

I mean, pop worth a damn.

Straight out the gate, huh?

Snap, crackle, no pop.

And you're still going.

Over Red and Bucker, you are not. Right.

You're so quiet, I thought I lost my hearing. Wow.

Okay, so why do you think Vince put me with the nation?

Race. I'd say race.

I mean, I get the race thing. I don't love it, but I get it.

But why does Rocky Maivia, the man, belong in the nation?

Like, what's my angle?

You're the fourth man in a four -man crew.

I don't think Vince is thinking about your angles.

It's a matter of a baby face or a heel. Nobody gives a damn.

People ain't gonna give a damn till you make them give a damn.

Boss, I got my time card here for you to sign.

I worked one hour on Monday.

Two hours on Tuesday.

Wednesday was a big holiday.

Pat, you think I could get a few minutes with the boss? Yeah, I think we're good

here. That was a pretty perfect take. Let's cut.

Nailed it.

Yeah, so I think if I'm going to have any shot of getting over as a heel, I

some time on the mic to show my personality.

Kid, Raw's like a fine -tuned Swiss watch.

Time to the second.

Or better yet, like a sausage that's been stuffed full of pork to the brink

explosion. We don't have extra time. I understand.

I do.

But the fans need to know why Rocky Maivia is turning heel. Otherwise,

never going to care.

I just need a chance to show them the real me.

I'm listening.

So if you gave me, like, 12 minutes to explain it to them, I'll give you two.

I'll take it.

But you know, two and a half would give me some time to work in some backstory.

Two's fine.

Ultimately, that was a vote of confidence from Vince.

I mean, getting microphone time on a live broadcast of Raw is precious.

And he still believed in Rocky Maivia enough to give it to me.

And I had to prove him right.

And I had one shot to make the crowd give a damn. So did you know what you

going to say?

I just wanted to be honest.

So cute when he's acting tough.

Hill looks good on him.

Rocky, pull up your tank. Your son's wife can see your chichis. Everybody can

see them. I worked hard on these babies.

Ba -boom!

Okay, great.

You looking?

I'm not looking.

Come on, Dewey, let's do this.

All men, jump!

I want you to take a look at this man right here. As Farouk was giving his

promo, time slowed down for me as I waited for my moment. All I knew is that

wanted to be my honest, authentic self. And as I looked out into the crowd at

all those fans who had given me hell over the past year, it all became clear.

Tell me what.

I've got three words.

Die, Rocky, die.

That's the gratitude I get from you pieces of crap.

For all my blood, my sweat, and my tears?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

This isn't about the color of my skin.

This is about respect.

I became the youngest intercontinental champion in WWF history.

And what did it get me?

In arenas across the country, I heard chants of Rocky sucks.

Well, Rocky might be as a lot of things.

But sucks isn't one of them.

And I want to make one thing clear to all you jackass bands out there.

Rocky Maivia and the new nation of domination lives, breathes, and dies

respect.

And we will earn it by any means necessary.

We are the nation of domination.

At that moment, I felt incredible.

I mean, finally getting a chance to express myself, my true self.

Kind of like when I played Kim Jong -un, except no one saw it. I saw it. Yeah?

Yeah, you were great.

Thanks. You're welcome.

But, you know, at that time, I didn't know whether or not my promo registered

with the fans or even the WWE executives. You've got to remember, it

so there was no hopping on social media to get instant reactions.

Oh, that sounds amazing. If only.

But you must have had some read on how it went.

How did it go backstage?

Interesting stuff there, Rock. Yeah. What'd you think?

They were riled up, right? I mean, at least some of them.

I mean, you rattled a few cages, but it could be cheap heat. You called them

pieces of crap.

Yeah, that was fun. I did enjoy that. I'll give you this.

You were more interested in the last two minutes than you've been in the last

six months.

Wow. Okay, everybody just out the gate with the honesty.

Interest in this isn't always necessarily good, no?

My cat throws up a human thumb. Is it interesting? Sure.

But is it good? No.

Did that really happen? Hey, stay focused.

What matters now is what the folks at home think about the new Rocky Maivia.

We'll find out soon enough.

Our next live show is in five days.

You step out into that crowd in Chicago, we'll know all we need to know about

whether you got over him.

Thanks, Pat.

Well, I casually walked by Vince four times that night and got nothing.

I didn't know how any of it was going to shake out. But either way, I'm glad I

did it. It allowed me the opportunity to be my true authentic self, to control

my narrative.

And that, Mr. President, is exactly what you need to do.

You're right.

Thank you for your insight, Dwayne. You are a gifted storyteller.

Isn't he?

Which is why I need you to bring some of that magic to Jeldrum and solve this

coffee crisis for us. Turns out Prime Minister Honig is a huge rock fan.

She uses your catchphrases in her speeches. She knows all of your matches

detail. And I think, with the exception of Huskies, has seen all of your movies.

Is she not an animation fan or something? Because Huskies was good.

We need you to fly to Jeldrum and convince her to take this coffee trade

America needs you, Dwayne Johnson.

You are the only man for this job.

Will you go on a coffee run for America?

I'm honored, Mr. President. Thank you.

But no.

Fantastic. Wait.

Wait, I didn't hear that last bit.