Watch Young Rock

Young Rock is a television sitcom produced by NBC, based on the early life of WWE wrestling superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The show is a fictionalized retelling of Johnson's formative years, and it chronicles his life from childhood to college days. The show premiered on February 16, 2021, and it quickly won the hearts of audiences all over the world, with its mix of humor, drama, and nostalgia.

The show is set in Miami during the 1980s, and it revolves around the Johnson family. Dwayne Johnson plays himself in the show, but the focus is on his younger self, played by Uli Latukefu. The show also features several other members of the Johnson family, including his mother Ata, his father Rocky, and his grandfather Peter Maivia, played by Stacey Leilua, Joseph Lee Anderson, and Ana Tuisila respectively.

The plot of the show is divided into several timelines, each of which is based on a different phase of Johnson's life. The first timeline is set in 2032, where an older Johnson campaigns for the presidency of the United States. The subsequent timelines take us back in time to when Johnson was a class clown in high school, and then to when he was a college football star at the University of Miami.

Throughout the show, we get to see how the different events in Johnson's life shaped his personality, and how he overcame several challenges on his way to becoming a successful wrestler and then an actor. We also get to see how Johnson's trajectory was influenced by the strong-willed women in his life, especially his mother Ata, who sacrificed a lot to give him a stable upbringing.

One of the most endearing things about the show is the humor. The show uses a lot of witty one-liners and comedic situations to make serious topics more digestible. For instance, in one scene, a young Johnson is caught stealing a pair of shoes by a mall cop, and he has to improvise an excuse to get out of trouble. In another scene, a young Johnson tries to impress a girl by doing a dance routine, only to embarrass himself and his family members.

However, the show also has its share of emotional moments, especially when it delves into Johnson's relationships with his family members. We get to see how his mother Ata struggled to make ends meet, while his father Rocky struggled with addiction issues. We also get to see how Johnson's grandfather Peter imparted wisdom to him that he carried all his life. These moments are moving and heartfelt and add depth to the show's humor.

The casting of the show is also top-notch, with the actors bringing their characters to life with their performances. Uli Latukefu delivers a standout performance as the young Dwayne Johnson, nailing the mannerisms and speech patterns of the real-life Johnson. Stacey Leilua is also excellent as Ata, infusing her character with warmth and strength.

In addition to the Johnson family members, the show also features several other characters who played a role in Johnson's life. We get to see his teammates and rivals in college football, like his roommate Robbie, played by Kevin Makely. We also get to see Johnson's interactions with notable wrestlers of the time, like the Iron Sheik, played by Fasitua Amosa, and Andre the Giant, played by Matthew Willig.

Overall, Young Rock is an engaging and entertaining show, that makes use of humor and heart to tell the story of one of the most beloved celebrities of our time. It's a must-watch for fans of Dwayne Johnson, and anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story.

Young Rock is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (37 episodes). The series first aired on February 16, 2021.