On this episode of Our American Stories, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson spent his life fighting for a place in professional wrestling. As a Black wrestler performing before largely white audiences in the 1960s and ’70s, he faced racism inside and outside the ring, but kept winning over crowds with his charisma and athleticism. Years later, when his son Dwayne decided to become a wrestler himself, Rocky became his trainer, pushing him through grueling workouts and passing down the lessons that had carried him through his own career.

After Rocky's death in 2020, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson paid tribute to the man behind the wrestler. He remembers the sacrifices his father made, the complicated relationship they shared, and the lessons about hard work, discipline, perseverance, and family that stayed with him. To the wrestling world, Rocky Johnson was a trailblazer. To Dwayne, he was Dad.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)