WWE pro wrestler/global action film star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just landed the cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine, but the accolade isn’t merely the latest in a string of accolades afforded the 43-year-old Johnson. “The Rock”‘s appearance on the cover of the premiere men’s fitness publication also marks the magazine’s declaration of Johnson as their “Man of the Century,” according to Wrestlezone .
Johnson, who recently capped off a huge 2015, both personally and professionally, by marrying his long time girlfriend, according to Wrestling Inc. , is also the sole male nominee for Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards for the category of Favorite Social Media Celebrity.
Johnson, now a bonafide A-list action film star, hosted last year’s televised Washington D.C. Christmas celebration and has been named by Spike TV as the host and producer of a tribute for American troops scheduled for air on Veteran’s Day of next year.
Johnson made the announcement at this year’s Spike’s Guys Choice Awards . While no participants or acts have yet been confirmed, Johnson stated that he will be “calling in favors” to ensure that the production, which Johnson and his ex-wife/manager Dany Garcia will executive produce along with Spike TV’s Casey Patterson, will be chocked full of headliners spanning across all forms of entertainment, including music, movies, comedy, sports, and more.
Johnson, who cited military veteran members of his family, including two Navy SEALS, as the impetus for the special, spoke of the personal importance of producing such an event for those fighting to protect our freedoms.
“It is so important to me to give back to the troops. I really want to create something special for our boys and girls who are overseas and hopefully we do such a good job that we can do it again and again. It is incredibly ambitious but we have a lot of resources to meet the ambition.”
Johnson also cited the spirit and influence of the classic Bob Hope specials for the troops of the past and hopes to begin a new tradition to salute all of those who serve in our armed forces.
“You get around these great men and women of the armed forces and you get instant perspective. I can have the life I have and the career I have because of what they do every day. They ensure our way of life. We enjoy the freedoms we have because of the brave men and women who serve so the least we can do is give back. I anticipate a lot of my friends who are celebrities, in Hollywood, sports and music, to be a part of this epic event for our troops.”
Johnson has enjoyed two massive action film hits this year as well. His hit blockbuster film San Andreas earned over $1 billion at the box office, making it the second of Johnson’s films this year to eclipse that mark alongside the massive global box office smash Furious 7 , which currently makes it one of the top box office earners of the year.
Johnson began his career with World Wrestling Entertainment, better known by its acronym, WWE, during the mid-90’s. After hopes of an NFL career were dashed due to an injured knee, Johnson, trained by his pro wrestler father, Rocky Johnson, the man that would eventually become known as “The Rock” became one of the most popular WWE superstars of all time, leading the company through its famed “Attitude Era” alongside the likes of Triple H, The Undertaker , and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Johnson appeared at this year’s Wrestlemania alongside UFC phenomenon Ronda Rousey in a scene that appeared to foreshadow a possible tag match for next year’s event in Dallas that would pit “The Rock” and Rousey against Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon.