The Rock recently received a special surprise while promoting Disney’s live-action Moana. A WWE fan presented him with rare memorabilia featuring his grandfather. The emotional moment also revealed the WWE legend who inspired his role as Maui.
The Rock is currently promoting Disney’s live-action Moana around the world. A few days ago, Moana director Thomas Kail revealed that The Rock’s WWE experience helped him film the movie’s action scenes. He also shared that Johnson told him Maui was inspired by his grandfather, WWE Hall of Famer High Chief Peter Maivia.
WWE star The Rock says his grandfather inspired his role as Maui
During the Moana Global Tour, The Rock had an emotional meeting with a WWE fan named Steven. Steven presented The Rock with a vintage wrestling magazine and an old WWE event program featuring High Chief Peter Maivia. The fan explained that he had previously spoken with The Rock’s mother, who said she would love to see the memorabilia one day.
After seeing the magazine, The Rock was visibly stunned. “Wow. Look at that, man. Let me see. Can I see these? Oh my God. Wow. My grandfather used to wrestle here in London, and this is crazy. He was the inspiration for Maui.”
The Rock promised to personally deliver the gifts to his mother. “I’m going to carry these to her and give these to her. I’m gonna make it very ceremonial. This is going to mean so much.” On X, formerly know as Twitter, he shared the video, writing, “INCREDIBLY COOL gift from an awesome fan – a vintage wrestling magazine with my grandfather on the cover. As you see by his pictures, my grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia was the inspiration behind my character MAUI from MOANA. Thank you Steven I got the best fans in the world!!! #MoanaGlobalTour”
Before leaving, The Rock thanked Steven for the thoughtful gift and even recorded a video with him to show his appreciation.
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