It looks like we won’t see the dramatized version of The Rock going up against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin that defined the Attitude Era of the then-WWF back in the late 90s.
In an unforeseen decision, NBC has decided to cancel Young Rock, which is a biographical sitcom based on The Rock’s early life after three seasons. The decision came three months after the conclusion of the show’s third season. The TV show was a co-production between Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions, and Nahnatchka Khan’s Fierce Baby Productions.
Young Rock gave audiences s a comedic snapshot of different chapters in Johnson’s life, encapsulating his journey from a resilient family upbringing, the flamboyant world of professional wrestling, to his short tenure as a football player at the University of Miami. It was a roller coaster ride that crafted the persona we recognize today, introducing audiences to the larger-than-life personalities who played crucial roles in his story.
The show was not without its star power, featuring Johnson himself alongside Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, and Uli Latukefu among others. A blend of both fiction and reality, the series didn’t shy away from featuring famous wrestling icons such as Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, and even “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Despite its unique premise and star-studded cast, Young Rock saw a consistent drop in its viewership over its three-season run. According to Nielsen data, Season 1 attracted more than 3 million viewers per episode with an impressive 0.62 demo rating. In contrast, Season 3 only managed about 1.4 million viewers with a 0.25 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
The cancellation adds to the recent setbacks for Johnson and Seven Bucks Productions, which dealt with the underperformance of Black Adam last year. Nonetheless, the charismatic wrestler-turned-actor remains undeterred, with several high-profile projects in the pipeline. These include a starring role opposite Chris Evans in Amazon Studios’ Red One, Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana, and a surprising return to the Fast & Furious franchise where he’ll star alongside Jason Momoa in a brand-new spin-off.
While audiences may no longer be able to explore his early years on Young Rock, there is no doubt that Dwayne Johnson will continue to captivate viewers on the big screen for years to come.
