Dwayne Johnson’s father and famous wrestler Rocky Johnson dies (75)

Cape Town – Dwayne Johnson’s father and WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Rocky Johnson, whose real name is Wayde Bowles, died on Wednesday. He was 75 years old.

Rocky’s death was confirmed to NBC News by the former professional wrestler’s manager.

The cause of death is still unknown. Rocky Johnson was the first African American world tag team champion as a member of the Soul Patrol alongside Tony Atlas. He went by the nickname "Soul Man". But he wrote in his autobiography, Soulman: The Rocky Johnson Story, that one of his greatest achievements was actually training his son, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who went on to become one of the sport’s greatest athletes.

Dwayne inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008, reports Variety.

The 47-year-old has not yet commented on the news of his father’s death. 

Compiled by Bashiera Parker ( NBC News, Variety)