02x03 - In Your Blood

[bunniefuu]

Dwayne Johnson
is just a bad guy.

He always has been.

And when someone tries
to k*ll you,

you don't forget.

And you don't want that person
in the White House.

Wait, so you do know
this guy?

We met briefly in Hawaii.

Did you really try
and k*ll him?

No.
Come on, of course not.

Well, so who is he?
What happened?

You know when you're on top,
somebody will come along

and try to knock you down
a peg?

Oh, yes.

In 1984, my dad,
Rocky Johnson,

and his tag team partner
Tony Atlas

had just won
the WWE Tag Team titles

and we were all riding high.

My dad was making more money

than he'd ever made
in his life.

And one of the first things
he did was call the guy

all the wrestlers
got their jewelry from,

legendary heel manager,

Classy Freddie Blassie.

The finest Israeli diamonds
in Hawaii.

♪ Tonight

And one of the first things
I did was go on

a shopping spree
at Toys "R" Us.

Vince McMahon had made my dad
a star,

and he wasn't only making
our lives better,

he had my grandmother's back

as she dealt with federal
charges for an incident

involving rival promoter
Greg Yao.

It's a screw job, Vince.

Whatever we can do
to support you, Lia,

just let me know.

These feds,
they don't understand

the ways of our business.

You know they're listening
to this call right now.

No way.
They'd have to get their heads

out of their asses first.

Good.

Vince was always true
to his word

and continued to allow
some of his guys

to work for my grandmother,

which was crucial
to her business.

His WWF stars wrestled
on her weekly show,

which aired on TV in Hawaii
every Saturday.

Mr. Fuji throws salt
on King Tonga's eyes!

That's gotta sting!

Wait a minute,
Jake's pointing at his bag.

What's in the bag?

Oh, my God, it's Desdemona!

Jake places his snake,
Desdemona,

on a knocked-out
Slaughter's chest,

adding insult to injury.

Rocky with the elbow to Sheik.

And George "The Animal" Steele
is going wild.

Rocky dives for the tag.

Tony Atlas is coming in
like a house on fire.

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

He body-presses Sheik!
What a specimen!

One, two, three.

The Soul Patrol
has done it again.

- Ooh!
- Yeah! Go Dad!

Wait, these aren't
potato ridges.

They're Ruffles, baby.

Only name brand for us now.

- Whoo!
- Wow!

Things were great.

We were living
in a nice apartment

eating name-brand snacks.

And the clothes...

*YOUNG ROCK
Season 02 Episode 03

♪ Tonight
Episode Title: "In Your Blood"

♪ Ooh
Aired on: March 29, 2022.

I felt pretty damn cool

being the son
of a WWF champ.

Hey,
how much can your dad bench?

I don't know, but it's a lot.

One time, I saw him pick up
a refrigerator.

- Whoa.
- Whoa.

I saw Rocky pull a Kn*fe
on a bunch of kids

who had stolen
Dewey's boogie board.

Whoa.

And then my dad grabs Steele

- by his back hair.
- Whoa.

So Sheik jumps in.

Then my dad starts
pummeling Sheik.

My dad tags in Tony who pins
Sheik and the announcers go,

"The Soul Patrol
has done it again!"

Whoa.

Sorry.

Julien here. New kid.

My family just moved in
from St. Paul, Minnesota.

- Oh, my God.
- That's him.

- Julien.
- That's him.

And he came out of the gates
swingin'.

How do we know that Rocky
Johnson is really your dad?

- What?
- I'm just saying.

Have any of you
ever seen Rocky?

Yeah.

Sebi, you just said
you saw my dad

pull a Kn*fe on some bullies.

Well, now that I think
about it,

it could have just been
a supportive man you were with.

Has your dad ever
dropped you off at school?

No, 'cause I take the bus.

That's weird.
Son of a champ takes the bus.

Just saying.

No one had ever
challenged me like that,

and it got to me.

So the Rainbow Warriors
certainly have their work

cut out for them.

Coming up
on "Terry and the Chief,"

Lia Maivia, in-studio live.

Lia,
the whole island is buzzing

about the live wrestling event
you're putting on next month.

Can you give us any details?

Of course, Terry.

The Backyard Brawl-B-Q
will be held at Aloha Stadium

with the biggest stars
in the business:

André the Giant, Soul Patrol,
Ric Flair,

Roddy Piper, Jake "The Snake."

Oh, and so many more...

Mrs. Maivia,
you can't be here.

Again,
you are under house arrest.

- How did you find me?
- You're on the radio.

- Let's go.
- But this is for my business.

You're about to go on trial
for racketeering

and extortion charges
against Greg Yao.

You're not to conduct business
of any kind.

Fine,
I'll call my white lawyer

and see what he says
about that.

Yes. Great.

I very much encourage you
to do so.

Good. I will.

Tickets are going fast.
Call 808...

Mrs. Maivia!

157-8922!

The FBI can be ruthless,
as I know from researching

the role of Elliot Ness,

which I didn't wind up getting
because the casting director

- was playing mind games.
- Mm.

- So you know then.
- Mm-hmm.

You know, like I was saying,
when you're on top

like my grandmother was,
people come for you, man.

- Hmm.
- When she was getting ready

for her court case,
my dad and Tony,

well,
they were really embracing

the perks of being champs.

The number one rule
is no matter what,

under any circumstances,
never, ever

feed them after midnight. Yeah.

Hey, nice necklace, Rock.

What is that, a bronze coyote?

Oh, no, brother.
It's a golden lion.

Yes, it is.

You live your life, brother.
I just got myself a waterbed.

Hey, I heard that's like
sleeping in the ocean.

I wouldn't know.
See, I don't go near the ocean.

But I do mess with a waterbed.

The guy even gave me
a champion's discount.

King Titan's Luxury Goods,
they'll hook you up.

André.

Hey.

Hey, good to see you.

Pat Patterson.

Ah, Rocky.

Guess who was just talking
about you?

- Who?
- Nobody!

"Nobody!"

Ah, Pat loved that joke.

You know, he was tag team
partners with my grandfather,

High Chief Peter Maivia.

And Pat was the first
openly gay wrestler.

And at that time in pro
wrestling, it wasn't easy.

They would mess with him
and talk behind his back.

Look at his jacket.

So my grandfather
went up to Pat

in a crowded locker room...

Good luck tonight, Pat.

That was my grandfather's
way of saying,

"If you mess with Pat,
then you mess with me."

Mm-hmm.

No one wanted to mess
with the High Chief.

He was the baddest dude
in the room.

Bobby.

I have an important
announcement from Lia.

Testing, testing.
One, two, three.

Bob, are you recording?

- Yes.
- Good.

Hello. I wish I could be
with you in person today,

but my white lawyer has said

I can't conduct
any wrestling business.

I will sort this out,
but until then,

I won't be able
to run any meetings.

And I'll be in touch soon.
How do I turn...

Uh, these used pancakes

are from the gentleman
in the corner booth.

Enjoy the leftovers, boys.

Didn't want them
to go to waste.

Greg Yao.
What are you doing here?

I've been up for three days
celebrating.

Celebrating.

Wait,
what was I celebrating again?

You know what,
you wouldn't have the balls

to show up in this diner
if Lia were here.

Well, she's not here.
But I am.

With Jessica and Kristen.

It... it's Kir-sten.

I'm never gonna remember
that, baby.

Wait, celebrating
your family's demise!

That's what I was gonna say.

That's what I've been up
for three days doing.

While my grandmother had
her hands full with Greg Yao,

I was dealing
with my own problem.

Dad, can you sign this for me?

Sure.

- What's that for?
- There's a kid at school

who doesn't believe that Dad
is my dad.

What?
Of course I'm your dad.

I know,
but he doesn't believe me.

Oh, honey,
don't let that kid bother you.

But get used to it.

You see, I'm on top,
which means you're on top.

Naturally, people are gonna
wanna challenge you.

Here, hand it over like this.

So they can see
the family resemblance.

Hi.

How you folks doing?
Anything catch your eye so far?

Yes, uh...

We are interested
in a waterbed.

My tag team partner,
Tony Atlas,

said he got one here.

Rocky Johnson.

Wow,
I'm a huge "Soul Patrol" fan.

- Oh, thank you.
- That last match was awesome.

When Tony press-slammed
the Sheik.

Yeah.

But I kind of roughed Sheik up
before that.

- Set Tony up.
- Yeah. Ingrid?

Let's get
a "Champion's Discount"

for Mr. Atlas' partner here.

Okay.
I love Tony Atlas.

Yo, Julien, you want proof
that Rocky Johnson's my dad?

Here.

That's a cute photo
that you could've gotten

at a meet-and-greet.

You see,
I also have a signed photo

with me and Rocky.

Does this mean he's my dad?

No.

I also have one with me
and Johnny Carson.

Whoa!

Also not my dad.

Oh, ho, so Julien was
that kind of kid.

- The worst, right?
- The worst.

I totally get why you tried
to k*ll him.

I never tried to k*ll him.

Oh, right.
Right.

- Like at all.
- Okay.

I'll be... I'll be right out.

Hope.

What are you doing here?

I'm here
to take the woman I love.

My woman.

I prayed for this moment.

Bo still loves Hope!

Honey.

I need you
to take over the business.

- What?
- Just temporarily.

The slimy FBI put a ankle ring
on me to track me like a dog,

so I can't work
while my court case is pending.

Have you talked
to Herman about this?

- Who?
- Your white lawyer.

Yes, yes.
He agrees.

While I'm dealing
with the trial,

I need you to make sure
everything runs smoothly.

If anything jeopardizes
this business,

Greg Yao wins.

- But...
- Hold on.

"Days" is back.

You're not
gonna marry Welch.

- I'm not gonna let that happen.
- Stop me.

♪ Where have
all the good men gone? ♪

♪ And where are all

I knew he'd stop the wedding.

Maybe Rocky should get
a motorcycle.

Running the business
will be easy.

You oversee
the Saturday matches

and the Backyard Brawl-B-Q
live event.

But I've never done anything
like this.

I can't just come in
and run the...

Yes, you can.

You've been by my side
the whole time.

The business is in your blood.

That's true.

I have watched you and dad
do this my entire life.

Okay.

I'll do it.

Good.
And remember.

When the wrestlers come
and tell you ideas

about their persona,

just say,
"I'll think about it."

And then never think about it.

My mom gave me the breakdown
of this Saturday's matches

and they're basically the same
as last week's.

Hey,
it's a well-oiled machine.

You got this, babe.
You're gonna do great.

I'm talking Pan-Am, right?

You gotta get in there.
I'm on that Nasdaq...

Okay, everyone,
let's all take a seat

and get started.

Sheik, are you looking
for the bathroom?

No.
I'm giving myself a tour.

Let's just all stay
in the living room.

Hey, man,
pass this coffee to Randy?

Yeah, got you, brother.

Yeah.

That's for you.

Ooh, yeah.

Great coffee, Tone.

Welcome, boss.

Hey.

I made that coffee, man.

Sorry, brother.

- It's nice.
- Thank you.

Was that so hard?

Okay, let's get to business.

Um, as you know,
I'm temporarily taking over

for my mom while
she handles her legal issues.

Uh, so let's go through
Saturday's match.

- Ata?
- Yes, Sika?

I've an idea I wanna try
called "Touched by a Ghost."

See, I dye my hair all white.

Either I'm a ghost
or I'm a warrior

who fought ghosts and survived,
but I paid a price.

My white hair.

I always carry the mark.

That's deep.

Okay, well, maybe...

And I was also thinking,

I know I'm super strong
and all,

but what if I had a weakness,

and that weakness was feet?

- Women's feet!
- You know what, Tony?

- I thi...
- What if I ate some bad beans

and magically become smart?

You know what?

These are great ideas.

How 'bout
we all write them down

and I'll think about it?

- I...
- Bob has pens and paper.

I write them...

I'm already taking notes.

Um, hey,
that's my pad, okay?

That has a personal message
from a lady on it, okay?

That's a note from my mother.

Please, that's from my mother!

Just ignore him, baby.

It doesn't matter
what this Julien kid thinks.

Except it does.

Kids are starting
to believe him.

Well, fine,
then I'll just come to school

with you tomorrow
and show him my stretch marks.

Uh, you know what?

I think I'm good.

Mr. Fuji.

Again with the salt
to the eyes.

Look who's back.

It's Desdemona!

Jake "The Snake" adds insult
to injury.

Now that my mom
was in charge,

she saw the wrestling matches
in a new light.

And all she could think about
were ways to improve them.

He body-presses Valentine!

His signature move.

- Tony pins Greg Valentine.
- Yeah!

And the Soul Patrol
wins again.

Dad!

Ata.

- Pat!
- It's so good to see you.

Oh.

So good to see you.

You remember my son, Dewey?

Oh, look at this little man.

He reminds me so much of Peter.

One day, you will be a champ.

Huh?
Like your father.

And your grandfather, hmm?

It is in your blood.
You understand?

Pat was right.
It was in my blood.

And I knew
what I needed to do.

And so did my mom.

Why are you looking
at the guys' suggestions?

You're not actually
considering their ideas?

Their ideas aren't great.

But they're not wrong to want
to do something different.

Doesn't it feel like we keep
repeating the same thing?

I feel like I am.

Babe, I do all that selling.

Tony gets the hot tag
and the big finish.

And that's what the people
remember.

It's crazy.

I do 99% of the work
and he gets all the glory.

I mean,
we're both tag team champ...

Where's my belt?

Oh, my God.

Whoa.

Is that the WWF
Tag Team belt?

Yep.
Yo, Julien?

Just thought I'd wear a belt
to school today.

- My dad's championship belt.
- Whoa.

Did you also get one of these
at a meet-and-greet?

No.

Huh, so how do you think
I got it then?

I guess Rocky Johnson
really is your dad.

And don't forget it.

But it's not like
it's your belt.

Say what?

You didn't win it.

You're not a wrestler.

Not yet.

But I will be.

It's in my blood.

Oh, yeah?

Prove it.

Let's take this to the yard.

Great work
on Saturday's matches.

I mean,
I just ex*cuted your vision.

Exactly.

Here's a breakdown
for next weekend.

And this week you have to do
the "Wrestling Roundup"

on the "Terry
and the Fake Chief Show."

This is the same
as last week.

And the week before.

- Mr. Fuji's throwing salt again.
- No, see?

He's throwing salt
in Sergeant Slaughter's eyes.

But why is he throwing salt
at all?

Because he wants to win.

I mean, what's his back story?

Was he a failed chef?

Did critics say
his food was too bland,

which caused his restaurant
to close,

and now he just carries salt
with him wherever he goes?

No, he just throws it
because he has it.

Maybe we could create
more history for these guys.

Get fans even more invested
in the story lines.

It's like "Days of Our Lives."

Every soap character
has a back story.

A betrayal.

A secret twin.
A hidden love child.

And we eat it up.

We could be doing
the same thing with wrestling.

Wrestling's never been
more popular.

Why change it?

It's not changing it.

It's just building
on what's already there.

I really think we've got
a chance to...

You know what?
I'll think about it.

Fresh-brewed coffee

will brighten up your day.
Start your morning with a...

♪ Whoo

All right, this is
the classic ladder match.

First person
to climb up the ladder

and get the belt wins!

Which will be me.

This is the wrestling ring.

We can't go outside
these lines.

Nothing to the face or nuts
for obvious reasons.

Here, read this.

In this corner,
weighing in at 91 1/2 pounds,

future wrestler and undisputed
son of Rocky Johnson,

Dewey Douglas Johnson!

And in the other corner,
Montana Julien.

I'm from Minnesota.

Let's have a clean match.

Ding, ding, ding!

Ow! What the...

Go, Dewey!

You can do it!

Get... ugh!

Oh.

Yes!

Whoa.

Come help your champion!

So I b*at him
in a schoolyard match,

and that's what he means by
"I tried to k*ll him."

He's the one who pushed
the ladder out from under you.

And there I was,
dangling from that tree

all because
I let that little punk

get underneath my skin.

When really,
he was just jealous

and wanted
to knock me down a peg.

He had nothing to lose,
everything to gain.

- Just like now.
- Totally.

And now you have
the much thicker skin.

And there's no way
I'd let that happen to me now.

So what happened
after the fight?

Well,
the school called my parents

and I got into a lot
of trouble.

Mm, for starting a fight?

No, for stealing
the janitor's ladder.

He got stuck up on the roof
for a couple of hours.

Someone call my wife.

Hi, honey.

It's me, your wife,
Mrs. Janitor.

My wife's name is Gloria.

Just bring me my ladder.

Hey, hey!

Stop throwing nuts.

And I wasn't the only one
in the family

who let someone
get under their skin.

So today, we're talking
to some very special guests,

the WWF Tag Team champions,
Tony Atlas and Rocky Johnson.

So guys, you've both got
great charisma, great bodies.

Rocky, you're a workhorse.

You got moves on moves.

Hey, thank you, Terry.

- You know, I really like...
- But Tony,

you come into the ring.

And you lift
the guy over your head.

And that's it.
You only have the one move.

And the audience is eating
out of your hand.

I know.
That's all I gotta do.

So you're taking
on Rowdy Roddy Piper

and
George "The Animal" Steele

at the Backyard Brawl-B-Q.

What can we expect
from the Soul Patrol?

Well, um, whatever it is,

I'm sure it will involve me
doing 99% of the work

and Tony lifting a guy
at the end.

"Dun, dun, dun" beats...

Do I sense some tension here?

Yeah.
What's up, Rock?

You mad at me,

or did you get up on
the wrong side of the waterbed?

For the finest waterbeds,

check out
King Titan's Luxury Goods.

No, I'm not mad.

I'm just speaking the truth.

I start the match,
grind our opponents down.

Then you come in
at the very end

and get the pin.

Rocky does the work.

Tony gets the credit.

Well,
I don't know about you, Terry,

but I'm sensing some trouble
in paradise.

Why don't we take a break

and give these two time
to cool off?

In the meantime,
we're taking your calls.

That was amazing.

You guys played that perfectly.

Oh, Sidney Poitier over here.

That was some great acting,
Rock.

- I totally bought it.
- Thanks, Tone.

You weren't too bad yourself
there.

Because my mom loved
soap operas,

she understood
that the best story lines

always came
from a kernel of truth.

Wow.

The phone lines are blowing up.

Looks like the fans
are buying it too.

This tension

is gonna get everyone invested
in your match at the Brawl-B-Q.

I'm planning something big
for you guys.

I've got Lia on Line 2?

She wants to know
what the hell is going on.

Integrating
out-of-the-ring drama

was something
that would eventually become

a fixture in the world
of pro wrestling.

My mom
and a few other visionaries,

they were well ahead
of their time.

But she still had
her challenges ahead of her.

- Hm.
- So, hey.

We had the team do some digging
on this Julien guy.

He's a real piece of work.

He's a chiropractor
with two stars on Yelp,

divorced, one son.

He's been banned
from the Olive Garden

for complaining too much.

And apparently
he has tweeted about you

every day since you announced
you were running for president.

Uh, "Who actually knows
if The Rock loves America?"

Oh.

Uh, "How do we know he's not
on steroids?"

Ooh.

"No way that was him singing
in 'Moana.'"

My favorite.

Well, that's been a nice,
fun trip down memory lane.

I have an interview
to prep for.

Uh, oh, it's a kitten video.

"The Rock hates kittens."
Of course, yeah.