The People’s Champ has the internet in a headlock once again, but this time it isn’t because of a new blockbuster or surprising WWE comeback. You can find Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson trending after it came to the attention of fans that he has been showing up these days appearing significantly smaller, and the internet has developed into a rowdy group chat of theories, memes, and unwelcome medical advice.
The Internet Weighs In
The comments are savage, hilarious, and a little bit paranoid.
Another wrote: “One guy guessed it a few months back on TikTok. They said his heart can’t take all the artificial boosters to keep big and he’d appear smaller after a few months. 100% correct.”
Another replied: “nah, somebody on TikTok identified this months ago…. not because of a role but because of heart problems from doing gear, just like Triple H’s heart problem.”
Meanwhile, a fitness realist contributed: “At some point, you need to move beyond heavy, cumbersome weights, low reps, and focus on lean muscle mass. You can witness this with many of the NFL linemen after their retirement. The toll heavy lifting and high-calorie diets take on your joints is harsh.”
Others came at it from the jugular: “Being that swole and wearing that much gear was never healthy. But it’s unhealthier the older you get.”
Then came the meme that would not go quietly into the night: “Oh, Ozempic Rock is utterly bonkers to me. Goodness ????????
From Ring Icon to Hollywood Powerhouse
So context: This isn’t a random fall off. The Rock has been a walking action figure for decades. His career began in WWE back in 1996 after his football aspirations did not work out, and for years, he was the swagger-endowed megastar that lit up arenas worldwide. His charisma propelled him to Hollywood, where he was one of the most bankable names out there.
Even with the siren song of Hollywood, The Rock never quite abandoned wrestling. He has come back into the ring occasionally throughout the years, most recently at the Elimination Chamber event in February when he co-starred alongside John Cena and Cody Rhodes. He is also a member of the TKO Board of Directors, which maintains ties within the industry that created a legend out of him.
The Reimagining of “The Smashing Machine”
So why the smaller frame? It’s all in service of art. Johnson’s next big project is “The Smashing Machine”, a Benny Safdie-directed biopic about MMA pioneer Mark Kerr. The role is a radical shift for Johnson, requiring prosthetic makeup, curly brown hair, and a dramatic physical transformation.
This is not Fast & Furious: The Rock. This is The Rock disappearing into a fractured, damaged fighter with an addiction and a burden of expectation. Even co-star Emily Blunt confessed it was “spooky” seeing him lose himself in the role. The film has already generated Oscar buzz and is scheduled to open at the Venice Film Festival, where it has already generated speculation about a Golden Lion campaign. For Johnson, who admitted that he was “really scared” of taking on the role, it is a bold career choice that may at long last silence those who write him off as all charisma and brawn.
