Friday, October 16, 2026
Law

‘Roodypoo’ to ‘Rockpocalypse’—Dwayne Johnson Now Owns the Words He Made Famous 

  • The wrestler turned actor joined WWE’s board in January and was handed a long list of trademarks as a result.
  • It was known at the time that he received the rights to his in-ring name; a new filing adds an array of nicknames and slogans.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

A year ago, after the Chiefs beat the Bengals in the AFC championship game, earning a spot in Super Bowl LVII, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce had some words for Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval, who had engaged in some smack talk before the game: “Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni!” Kelce yelled into Jim Nantz’s microphone. 

It turns out Kelce was quoting what is now considered intellectual property. 

That phrase, made famous by former WWE wrestler Dwayne Johnson, is now owned—along with more than 20 other nicknames and phrases—by Johnson as part of a deal struck when he joined the WWE’s board in January. Upon his joining the board, TKO Holdings, the group that owns the WWE, handed Johnson ownership of what it calls “Rock IP,” including the nickname The Rock—but a new TKO filing shows that Johnson, 51, also took with him a slew of phrases he made popular decades ago.

In addition to “Jabroni,” a slur reserved for his foes, Johnson now also holds the trademark to his signature line “If you smell that the Rock is cooking,” as well as “The Brahma Bull,” “The Samoan Sensation” (an ode to his ancestry), and “The Great One.” He also owns the IP for “Rock Bottom,” a line he used when defeating an opponent in the wrestling ring. 

The rest of the Rock IP includes:

  • Rocky Maivia
  • Team Corporate
  • Rock Nation
  • The Nation
  • Roody Poo
  • Candy Ass
  • The Blue Chipper
  • The People’s Champion
  • The Great One
  • Team Bring It
  • The Rock Just Bring It
  • The People’s Elbow
  • Finally, The Rock has come back to …
  • It doesn’t matter what …
  • Blue Hell
  • The millions … (and millions)
  • Rockpocalypse
  • Project Rock
  • The most electrifying man in sports and entertainment

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Small-Market Brewers Clinch First NL Pennant

Milwaukee is advancing to its first World Series since 1982.
Head Coach Curt Cignetti heads in during The Walk before the Indiana versus North Texas football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Brian and Amy were the hosts, middle two in frame.

Indiana’s Title Windfall Meets Its Biggest Home Game in History

A new jersey patch extends Indiana’s run of sponsorship deals

Jon Rahm’s LIV Settlement Forfeits All Remaining Payments

Rahm earned more than $106 million in prize and bonus money with LIV.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Television commentator Troy Aikman speaks before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Aikman Eyeing ‘Next Landing Spot,’ Doesn’t Deny Rift With Buck

Aikman is slated to become a free agent after the season.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/15/26 – Blake Griffin on Clippers Fine, Buck-Aikman Booth Tension, Elle Duncan’s ‘Toxic’ WNBA Warning

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

PTPA Boss Accused of Harassment, Sexist Conduct in New Suit

The PTPA is listed as both a plaintiff and a defendant.
October 5, 2026

WPBL Records Case Alive Despite Board Member’s Firing

The league’s CEO tried to end the board member’s case by firing her.
First at FOS
October 13, 2026

Controversial Search Firm Memo on Brian Flores Unsealed by Court

The memo is evidence for several of Flores’s claims, his lawyers say.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Mar 16, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
October 2, 2026

Ballmer Drops Lawyer Who Called NBA Probe a ‘Witch Hunt’

O’Melveny & Myers had been representing Ballmer in multiple matters.
Polymarket logo appears in this illustration taken April 22, 2026.
September 24, 2026

New York Takes Aim at Polymarket With $4.6B Suit

“Our gambling laws exist to protect New Yorkers.”
September 17, 2026

Mark Walter and His Insurance Empire Face New Class Action Suit

An annuity holder sued the owner of the Dodgers and his companies.
Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during the game between the Mavericks and the Clippers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
September 11, 2026

Kawhi Leonard Saga Enters Uncharted Territory With Federal Probe

News of the probe comes a week after the NBA announced its punishment.