The Rock Secures Massive Payday From TKO Group
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson further solidified his influence in the entertainment industry in February 2024 when he was appointed to the Board of Directors of TKO Group Holdings, the entity formed by the merger of WWE and UFC under the Endeavor banner.
As a result, it positioned Johnson at the top of the empire. Not only did Rock get paid for it, but he also secured full ownership of the trademark for his legendary moniker, "The Rock." Previously, WWE held the trademark rights, only granting Johnson partial licensing for his various entertainment endeavors.
According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this deal reportedly included over $30 million in stock, $900,000 in royalty payments, and nearly $2.6 million in travel royalties.Johnson's ownership stake in TKO Group Holdings, Inc., remains relatively minor in the grand scheme of the company's overall structure.
Based on the reports, his holdings account for approximately 0.17% of the company, with his stock slightly increasing from 305,000 to 329,000 shares. The majority ownership of TKO, roughly 61 percent, resides with Endeavor, under the leadership of CEO Ari Emanuel and other key executives. Various financial institutions collectively holds the second-largest portion, representing approximately 28.27% of the company.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
Interestingly, leading up to the Elimination Chamber event saw storyline involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes.The Rock advocated for Rhodes to turn heel and align with him. However, Rhodes declined this proposition. This ultimately led to a surprising turn of events, with John Cena instead turning heel and aligning with The Rock, creating one of the most talked-about character shifts in recent WWE history.
The Rock did not make an appearance at WrestleMania 41 to get involved in the anticipated match between Cena and Rhodes. This absence left many fans speculating about the long-term plans for this newly formed heel duo and their impact on the WWE landscape moving forward.
The Rock appeared on the Pat McAfee Show last week that he intended to create a compelling narrative that would draw fans to Elimination Chamber and set up a significant WrestleMania main event. Once Cena's heel turn and the championship match against Rhodes were established, The Rock felt his role in the storyline was complete, allowing the focus to shift to the champion versus challenger dynamic.
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