Dwayne The Rock Johnson as a high school student
Credit: thestyleinspiration.com
When Dwayne Johnson made his WWE wrestling debut on November 17, 1996 – in Madison Square Garden, no less (truly hallowed ground in the wrasslin’ business) – he was not yet ‘The Rock’ but ‘Rocky Maivia’, a dorkish, insufferable do-gooder who had been instructed by wrestling bosses to constantly smile, no matter what.
The 24-year-old sported shiny white boots, makeshift Polynesian garb, and a frizz of jehri curled hair (Johnson later compared the hairdo to a “Chia pet” – one of those Seventies-style terracotta animals which sprouts plants). Despite the look, the crowd of 18,647 cheered him along as he won his rookie match. But not for long.
OCTOBER 1973 Bolts had to be drilled into the baulks at intervals so that the sleeper-like beams would grip the ground and withstand a certain amount of pressure. Happy days – Let’s take a step back to the seventies with these great images of stock car racing at Bradford’s Odsal Stadium. 1976: The survival of the home of Bradford Northern was dependent on attracting other sports to share the stadium with rugby league. Converting the grounds had to be done at top speed. There was barely 24 hours between saying goodbye to the oval-ball-loving public and welcoming the motor enthusiasts. Co-promoter Barry Gomersall announced that stock car racing in Bradford may die unless crowds improved during the next few meetings.