PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

THE ROCK'S FIRST MATCH - 'YOUNG ROCK' ON NBC RECAP

Young Rock S2 E8 - Corpus Christi

The Johnson Family Ranch - 3 Days Until Election Day.

Randall walks into the kitchen where we see a woman crying in front of Casey & Sandy. A doctor joins them and says “he’s not going to make it… to his next campaign event." 

With 3 days left The Rock has food poisoning and the doctor tells Randall that Dwayne wants to speak with him.  He goes to the bedroom where Dwayne asks Randall to help him get dressed because he can’t miss any campaign events. He starts telling Randall about getting the call from Pat Patterson.

Tampa, 1996

On the phone Pat tells Dwayne he is going to have a dark match in Corpus Christi. He’s due to  fly out the next day. The family is ecstatic. Dwayne doesn’t have any wrestling gear and Rocky says to call up Uncle Tonga (Haku). 

Tonga is at a bar eating fish & chips while being heckled by a patron that wrestling is fake. After hearing enough he goes over and bites the guys nose off. Tonga lends Dewey his too big trunks and he borrows Rocky’s too small boots. He calls Dani to let her know he’s getting his try out. She lets him know Ata already told her. Dani is surprised to hear Dwayne hasn’t had any independent matches.

Steve Lombardi/Brooklyn Brawler (played by Colt Cabana) picks up Dwayne from the airport and he is also surprised at his lack of matches. Brawler says “We got 15,000. What a way to make a debut” as they arrive at the arena.

Randall asks Dwayne if he was terrified? The Rock says he was running on adrenaline but he knew this what where he wanted to be. The Rock meets with P.S. Michael Hayes to go over his match. Hayes mentions he broke into the business via the Samoans. Brawler tells Johnson he’s going over tonight. 

Dwayne wants to call home but he doesn’t have time. Back in Tampa Rocky gets into a WWF AOL chat room trying to get results and is trolled by a teenager pretending to be Ultimate Warrior.

Back in the locker room Dwayne is greeted by Iron Sheik who is now a manager. Dwayne sits down to change and meets The Ringmaster Steve Austin (who has lots of hair… ). 

{Dwayne gives a voice over putting over Austin’s accomplishments}

Austin explains his gimmick but says it could be worse, he could have been Mantaur. We see Mantaur having trouble getting through the locker room door with his giant mask on. Austin asks him how many matches has he had. Dwayne says this is his first. Austin says WHAT?

Hunter Hearst Helmsley introduces himself and tells Johnson he’s going to be Intercontinental champion soon. Dwayne says “Oh, Don Muraco let me wear that when I was a kid."  Helmsley says he will sign a photo for him in case he needs money someday. Johnson tells Hunter he likes his cane, he’d like to shine it up real nice and shove it up his candy ass. Mick Foley (Mankind) introduces himself and lets everyone know the new guy is Rocky Johnson’s kid. He tells him to have a nice day. The Undertaker comes into the room. Johnson introduced himself and explains it’s his debut. Taker tells him to tear it up. Brawler enters and says it’s time.

Dwayne goes to Gorilla and meets Bruce Prichard. He tells him his name and asks for some music. Bruce says he’ll take care of it and then Vince walks in. Dwayne thanks him for the shot. Vince says, “Your father provided us with great memories, I’m sure you will too."

Pat shows up and gives some words of encouragement. Hayes tells him he has 6 minutes. Bruce gives him crappy music. Johnson enters the arena to no reaction and heckling. It doesn’t bother him as he knows he has 6 minutes to change his life. Brawler enters the ring. 

Dwayne is getting no reaction to Vince’s chagrin. We see Hunter making fun of him watching from the locker room while Sheik is on the phone giving Rocky the play by play. 

Dwayne starts selling and the crowd gets into him. Austin & Helmsley exchange looks. Brawler says it’s time for the comeback and he wins with a Sunset Flip. 

Sheik tells Rocky that “Dewey wins, Dewey #1."  Patterson tells Vince he’s green as grass but a helluva an athlete. 

In bed, The Rock says it was an epic night for him. Randall starts to tell his story of the all Asian play production of “The Hudsucker Proxy” in college. 

UCLA, 1994 - The Rock stops him before the flashback gets long winded.

Backstage, Brawler congratulated him on the match. Everyone likes his work. Patterson invites him to the next show. 

Johnson has a meeting a few days later at Titan Towers with Vince McMahon. Vince tells him he’s not ready for the WWF but that he likes him and he’s sending him to Memphis to work for Jerry Lawler. Vince tells him to get a car and asks if he has a place to stay. Dwayne says “yes I have family there”.

We see Dwayne arrive and is greeted by Downtown Bruno. 

The next day The Rock feels better and his campaign team tells him his VP did a great job covering for him. 

Young Rock airs Tuesday nights at 8pm on NBC and On Demand. 

 

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet