Acting Opportunities
Following the financial success of The Scorpion King, Johnson started receiving other offers and quickly scored two more major roles. He was part of the main acting ensemble in action comedy The Rundown, and took the lead part in Walking Tall.
Once again, Johnson found himself in a crossroad and had to make a choice between WWE and Hollywood. He decided to pursue acting, but his popularity in the wrestling circles suffered because of it. He would often be booed during his matches because everyone knew he’s one foot out the door.
Wrestling Retirement
The Rock’s contract with WWE ended in 2004, and that was when he decided to take his career in a different direction and commit to acting full-time.
Many of his fans turned their backs on him once he decided to kick-start his acting career because they saw him as a traitor, but the love for wrestling was still surging through his veins – and it always will be.
“I loved it. I loved the showmanship, and I loved the theatricality. It was so entertaining and over-the-top, and I was always mesmerized by these guys,” Johnson told Hollywood Reporter.