The Rock did not become one of WWE’s greatest talkers by accident, and D’Lo Brown just pulled back the curtain on how much work went into it.
While speaking to Inside The Ropes, D’Lo Brown discussed Rocky Maivia’s time in The Nation of Domination and explained that The Rock was constantly working on his promos behind the scenes. Brown said Rock was always searching for material and testing out ideas long before they became part of his legendary WWE persona. D’Lo Brown said The Rock would carry a notebook with him, something several wrestlers did at the time, and would write down anything that caught his attention.
“He would carry a notebook with him. We all, a lot of us did. And if there’s music on the radio and he’d hear something, he’d go, ‘Oh, I like that,’ and pull the book out and he’d write it down.”
Brown explained that The Rock would not just write things down and forget about them. He would actually test those ideas the next time he had a chance to cut a promo.
“Then you’d hear him try it in a promo the next time he was cutting a promo.”
That was only part of the process. Brown also said he saw Rock practicing promos in hotel rooms, working on facial expressions, reactions, and even experimenting with what became the People’s Eyebrow.
“He’d start cutting promos into the bathroom mirror and he’s practicing his facials, his reactions. He’s doing the People’s Eyebrow for the first time, just kind of getting a feel.”
Brown made it clear that nobody could have predicted Rock would become the biggest star in wrestling and then cross over into Hollywood the way he did. However, he said Rock’s work ethic was obvious very early on.
“What I did know about Rocky and could see was his work ethic and the things he would do when no one was watching to get better.”
The Rock eventually turned those private practice sessions into one of the most famous promo styles in WWE history. His timing, delivery, catchphrases, and character work helped turn him from a rejected babyface into one of the biggest stars the business has ever seen.
D’Lo Brown’s comments show that The Rock’s success was not just about natural charisma. It came from constant work, trial and error, and a willingness to keep improving until everything clicked.
What do you think about The Rock keeping a notebook for promo ideas during his WWE rise? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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