The Rock's first TV pro wrestling match

Flex Kavana( The Rock) has his first tv match teaming with Brian Christopher vs Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee.
Before that is clips from the Lawler/Mabel match and a interview with the tag champs and with Brian and Flex.

[@stevecollins1988]

Lol just watched Young Rock and they recreated this promo so well.

[@stinger5127]

Same here! Had to find this promo after the latest episode.

[@gone.golfing]

Violent by decision!………..???

[@dvsmike]

Same! I was thinking this was exaggerated like some of the other stories but nope, they hit it spot on. Violent by decision, lol

[@thomasmay9057]

Me too lol

[@furnaccio]

Naughty by nature and dangerous by decision!!

[@SimBoots]

"You know what, I'm done talkin" That's the first and last time the Rock ever said THAT line...

[@ernestoledezma5808]

hahahah 😂

[@jeffhall8453]

I think Jerry Lawler has been the same age his entire life. He looked 40 when he was 20 and now he's pushing 70 and still looks 40

[@snoopdog3771]

😂

[@c0pyimitati0n]

that's what happens when you don't drink or do drugs

[@benjamincompton9767]

Holy shit I better do some drugs... I dont wanna look 40 at 20 😱

[@benjamincompton9767]

And I will just add hes been dying his hair since he was like 22 😆

[@alvin1979wong]

I wanted to say that..😂

[@themlgpr0326]

If I had a dollar for every pixel in this video I would have 50 cents

[@ena6345]

+themlgpr0 no you would have 1 cent

[@contour157]

+themlgpr0 and if you had a dollar for it's importance and rarity youd be a zillionaire.

[@maraviyoso8473]

I'd be broke

[@mikedow6302]

I know huh? Lmao

[@dantegood2195]

themlgpr0 - hilarious

[@tbirddddd]

That Flex guy could be a big star someday.

[@thomasjones4246]

He will be at start Dwayne Rock Johnson is partner with Brian Christopher Lawler

[@mikescott8903]

He will never make it. He just doesn't have it.... almost no charisma.

[@domenicricci2978]

@@mikescott8903 Whom Is Flex Again? Just Some Local Jobber?

[@mikescott8903]

@@domenicricci2978 I don't know. I don't think he ever made it.

[@randomcomment262]

@@mikescott8903 I think that was John cena

[@jonathanturbide2232]

The Rock wrote a very touching post about Brian Christopher's passing, and shared how the two of them used to be best friends and as close as brothers (sharing hotel rooms together and playing video games all the time). Cool to see them as a team here, and it's crazy (and heartbreaking) to think one of them is currently one of Hollywood's elite and the other is no longer alive.

[@cwillie1492]

Beautifully said

[@luismagana9784]

Rip BRIAN LAWLER

[@briceybor5385]

Addiction is a sad mental aliment most struggle with daily

[@powerbottom4971]

Brian Christopher was a stupid loser.

[@Sp-ur4pm]

There’s something about this Flex Kavana kid. He’s pretty electrifying

[@whiterosebloodmoon4522]

Anybody else watching this as your watching young rocks version

[@BadAssMacmillan]

The rock wearing sunglasses indoors since day one lol

[@mr.rashedmr.rashed7466]

He is one of the few guys that make wearing sunglasses indoors look cool xD

[@SpeedyDePalma]

+BadAssMacmillan Not to mention the gladiator boots.

[@AnthonyAnalog]

Josseph Woolfork that Jerry's Kid shit was hilarious.

[@TheBoosht]

Finally Flex Kavana has come BACK TO KZbin!!!

[@jonburrows2684]

And from Hawaii lol

[@stevenweeks9903]

Extremely unfunny comment

[@lapereSPW]

The King vs a young Rock! This old stuff is gold!

[@bloodlegion4874]

Jerry Lawler fighting his own kid. Lol

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

Sadly, for probably the only time in their lives. Brian committed suicide a few years ago.

[@losman68]

@@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736 , that’s what they say , I don’t know how a man could kill himself with his hands behind his back , it’s just sad 😞 Awesome performer

[@bloodlegion4874]

@Scott Smith Dayum! Lol

[@bloodlegion4874]

@Scott Smith That’s awesome! The pleasure was all his I guess LOL

[@jonburrows2684]

Sad

[@PhilMante]

This was 1996, rock was 23-24 here.

[@Musicvidsetc]

Finally, the Flex has come back to Memphis!

[@davidrice8823]

I had never seen this before, thx for posting. Tell you what, I sure miss the old days of RASSLIN'. Small crowds, local tv only, no pyrotechnics, just good ole ass-whoopin's , Tennesse Stud, Wildcat Wendall Cooley, Bullet Bob Armstrong, Austin Idol, ... I could go on. If you feel what I'm sayin', feel free to give a shot out to your fave old time 'rassler!!

[@Antrizzle2009]

Can you imagine being one of these fans at this event? They had no idea what they were witnessing.

[@Readytogo11111]

coming from watching Young Rock tv show lol it's definitely on point

[@Juan05021985]

Same here

[@georgyfontaine28]

He kept his promo short and sweet leaving no room for rookie mistakes

[@dvsmike]

Yeah cuz he was violent by decision 🙄

[@gottizway1375]

@@dvsmike lol I'm watching young rock and wen his parents n friends heard he said that line they were looking lost too lmaoo.Violent by decision hahaha I mean it could have been worst tho

[@evilubuntu9001]

Can you smelllllll what the FLEX is cookin

[@Strive1324L]

Flex may be thinking, "I think i'll change my name soon. Rocky....Miavia! Yeah!"

[@gabee3993]

The Rock had everything going for him even then. The Pedigree. The look. Athletiscm. mic work.

[@pablowoods1848]

Never count out forceful nepotism. It can do wonders.

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

@@pablowoods1848 yeah because Ted Dibease Jr.,Curtis Axel,David Flair, and Brooke Hogan had wonderful careers. Idiot

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

Well, he had and received the pedigree a few times. Via Triple HHH.

[@kwrbt2979]

Other than the corny catchphrases ("We are naughty by nature and violent by decision..." Puke) and that I could barely hear him on the mic, yea he had potential for mic work.

[@Arctic_Falcon]

Too bad he got turned into a roided up SNL character. Always thought he could have been a great wrestler in another promotion, but in the WWF he was just flat out annoying and made me switch the channel.

[@loosescrews8106]

No entry music, No pyrotechnics, No strobe lights, No high flying moves, but 100 times better than today's product.

[@Slew1966]

The Rock's dads name in Memphis was Rocky "The Soul Man" Johnson. He and Lawler worked a lot together. And this was before Lawler was going to the WWF. This was in the late 70's and early 80's.

[@yesno9834]

The Rock was born 1972, this is certainly not the late 70’s/early 80’s 🤣 Probably early to mid 90’s.

[@lousassle9655]

@@yesno9834 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@billdurkin8860]

Late 70s the Rock's mom was still wiping his nose lmao 🤣

[@kyleolson279]

@@yesno9834 He's not saying this particular match took place in the late 70's-early 80's, he said that's when Rocky Johnson (The Rock's dad) came to the territory. This match happened in '95 or '96, I can't remember which was Rock's rookie year.

[@jonburrows2684]

So rock was 7 or 8 in this one. Man he was a big kid.

[@aegisofhonor]

quite impressive that the very first match Dwayne had was against one of the greatest showman wrestlers of all time, Jerry Lawler.

[@soslime6082]

this wasn’t his first match his first ever match was against the Brooklyn brawler in a dark match in 1995 in wwf

[@Flybi78]

Father and Son wrestling each other. 💕🥺 special memories and moments

[@jerrygerardi8552]

Gotta love the Memphis territory home to not only The Rock's first TV pro wrestling match but Hulk Hogan's as well.

[@kevinpayton2664]

Jerry Gerardi A lot of superstars have come to Memphis.

[@DavidSmith-oh3re]

Hulk Hogan's first match was in Gulf Coast Wrestling

[@thomasjones4246]

I've seen almost all of them come through Memphis Tennessee Ric Flair beautiful Bobby Eaton Danny a Davis Jim cornette Dutch mantell Terry Labonte and his brother come through Memphis before he was Hulk Hogan in WWF Randy Savage Dustin Rhodes Rick Rude Jake the Snake Roberts all Company Memphis Tennessee

[@thomasjones4246]

Stunning Steve Austin the rattlesnake Stone Cold Austin come through Memphis Tennessee as well Austin Idol Steve Kern and Stan Lee come through Memphis Tennessee as the fabulous ones

[@Henny2times]

LMAO ....he was almost The Flex😭 whippin alllll your flexed asses , IF YA SMELLLLLLLL, WHAT THE FLEX , IS COOKIN

[@mrbrokenmonkey]

It's always so cool to see the humble beginnings. Who knew that this guy would not only become one of the biggest stars in wrestling history, but also become such a huge movie star as well.

[@MorteSeoinage]

use to watch these with my dad... great times...... thanks for the uploads

[@firestorm1579]

Being from the Memphis area.I grew up onUSWA and Powerpro.I remember watching this live on saturday morning.I watch this show live,never will forget it.

[@erebustheslackerrr]

Cool to see The Rock do the kip up even way back then. Lol that dropkick tho. RIP Too Sexy

[@qvs787]

Who's here after the Young Rock show haha

[@robinbates6230]

Thank you for sharing these older wrestling videos. First time I have seen any on here. Nice to see memories of when I first started watching wrestling.

[@Super-J10]

These matches were all in Memphis ....we use to watch it every Saturday morning growing up in Memphis

[@SteveHolsten]

I watched it almost every Sat morning from around 1969 till it ended in 1997.

[@c.l.freeman7654]

Where?

[@Super-J10]

@@c.l.freeman7654 .....WMC Channel 5 studios !

[@teamchb3143]

I remember back in 96, USWA did a show at the Cookeville Community Center and I was there...and The Rock wrestled that night, and of course he was Flex kavana, and i slapped him on the shoulder as he walked by as to say "good going"....Who knew I ended up saying "good job" to The Rock...:) But my greatest moment was a few yrs later when I bought Raven a Snickers bar at the concession stand at the Cookeville Community Center.

[@johndoe-bw8wx]

Flex Cavana looks like a future “movie star”

[@mlbowen6476]

Got to love it. This was my favorite wrestling promotion. We'd visit relatives in northeast Arkansas and they picked up the Memphis TV stations and I couldn't wait to watch Memphis 'rasslin. The King will always be my favorite wrestler of all time. And that Flex Kavana kid might be pretty good someday!

[@RyanAllenLocke]

After all these years I didn't know Brian was closer to The Rock than Scotty 2 Hotty lol

[@KingN8Boogie]

I remember those days. Paying $3 to go watch USWA at The Big One. Saturday mornings at the channel 5 studio. Friday nights at the Midsouth Coliseum. Too Sexy Brian Christopher, Reggie B Fine, Superstar Bill Dundee, Spellbinder, Handsome Jimmy Valiant, The MoonDogs, Rock & Roll Express. I could go on and on. That was so much better than this bullshit today. "Super wrestler" John Cena, who almost never loses a match. Non talented Divas, or what I like to call "The intermission and bathroom break women". Too much choreography. Just wrestle. We know it's scripted, at least make it look real.

[@VicToria-qz3uy]

Amen

[@Unlitedsoul]

And... just about every single major name that debuted in the two major promotions throughout the late 80s and 90s. The Memphis USWA promotion was one of the final "proving" grounds... kind of like the AAA for the NWA/WCW and the WWF(E) before it folded.

[@timterry2863]

Brian Christopher has a funny laugh. It's perfect for a heel !!!

[@CuteLesbo69]

I think if that Flex kid applies himself and works hard he could make a pretty good mid-carder.

[@MrAWorthy1]

And who knows, maybe with a some dedication and more practice on the mic…he can one day be the most electrifying man in sports entertainment

[@jackagudo5994]

Hahaha

[@EatDieFaceDumb]

Young Rock brought me here

[@jwrsob]

Talk about humble beginnings for the Rock!!!!!!!!

[@Daitokuji]

They recreated this pretty good on young Rock

[@tcw4ever123]

Besides the explanation you've already gotten, at wrestling shows, thats what happens. The crowd cheers for the babyfaces, & boo's the heels. I didn't think that needed explanation

[@scragglewaggle4109]

Grand Master vs his dad with the rock as his partner.

[@LL-fd7xn]

A few weeks ago, I was listening to Randy Hales's Podcast about The Rock's first time on Memphis! Flex Kavana! I remember on another podcast, Dr. Tom Pritchard talked about the early career of The Rock! (Before The WWE) The Rock was one of the last few wrestlers who wrestled and worked through the territory system! Wow, watching this moment is very surreal! Sigh, Brian Christopher 🙏

[@JuanitoShet]

Hahaha daaaaamn! The Rock looks frickin' huge in this match, I thought he'd look a lot smaller. It was fun to watch for sure though. Adds to the wrestling knowledge!

[@theonemrtom101]

Can you flex like The Rock is flexing!

[@JoeyRottenwood]

"Violent... by decision." I think you meant "by design," Flex, but I think we can safely say your microphone skills improved over time.

[@gone.golfing]

Lol you called it 7 years ago. Do you watch Young Rock?

[@josejacob82]

The TV Show, Young Rock, brought me here.....

[@mikeg7430]

It's cool seeing king and his son wrestle each other RIP Grand Master

[@SillyTwit1]

Hope to see more of Flex in upcoming video clips.

[@christophergilmore4368]

Remember Brian Christopher is Jerry Lawler's son.

[@zeromancer-x]

Flex Kavana.. lol...

[@burbingberries6917]

I rememberright after the Rock first turned heel he was on the Jenny Jones show with the Brooklyn Brawler.

[@lawrencehayes5039]

Burbing Berries m

[@GampsMarketingSolutions]

First time seeing King Lawler face his son in the Ring (RIP Too Sexy) and the beginning of one of the GOATS of wrestling. Thanks Young Rock for introducing me to this

[@sychobones3788]

Young rock brought me here and I’m so hopeful for the next couple of seasons to see all the cool bts stuff when it came to his wrestling career

[@olive6405]

Brian Christopher is Lawler's son in real life. And Lawler once feuded with The Rock's Dad, Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson.

[@LiverpoolfcEPL]

what a crowd, they sure do love Flex at the time and his millions... wait

[@thung6714]

Alot of people forget that the King, and the rocks dad where good friends and in ring partners. The King prob even held Dwayne as a baby. So this makes perfect sense that this is happening.

[@Awwscrewit]

Rough around the edges but you can see that even early on the Rock was just a natural.

[@isaiahwinbrone]

Before he was the most electrifying man in sports entertainment

[@jesuslovesyou1454]

Young rock brought me here lol "We're naughty by nature and violent by decision!" Lol

[@richardwatson6799]

That promo wasn’t as bad as they made it look on Young Rock. You can tell The Rock didn’t have much to say. The moment was almost bigger than he was

[@goyda357]

but he acts like the Rock, even an eye brow there

[@jamesjackson4558]

Damn The Rock was oozing with 🌟 power in spite of the ridiculous name.

[@ikennauzoegwu3231]

Young rock brought me here too

[@timmy8271b]

@EddieNeverSleeps The heels are Dundee and Lawler. Rock's father was a huge name in Memphis back in the 70's and 80's. That's why Flex was over so much. And Yes Vince let King work USWA since King owned USWA.

[@aodanconneely800]

1: Flex Kavana is The Rock. 2: He did make it into pro wrestling.

[@jonathanyates5198]

No shit

[@matthewwall3319]

Just watching the young rock and they showed this par tof his life so I've just come on the tube to see the actual debut

[@larrysweeney12large]

Can You Smell What Flex Kavana Is Cookin...just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[@locario13]

No shit sherlock

[@redhurricane24]

Jerry Lawler photobombing before it was cool.

[@thomasjones4246]

What year did this match take place

[@generalkhan5569]

@@thomasjones4246 96

[@thomasjones4246]

@@generalkhan5569 okay you talking about the year that it was well I near the rock come to Memphis but I didn't know what year see Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler they've been doing wrestling in Memphis that's where they train them at Hulk Hogan come through Memphis at Terry Labonte that was his real name he had a brother as well Randy Savage come through Memphis Rick Rude come through Memphis Stone Cold Steve Austin used to wrestle in Memphis as stunning Steve Austin The Undertaker come through Memphis as a name I can't remember Bobby Eaton and sweet Stan Lane and Steve Kern come through Memphis Tennessee as the fabulous one as a tag team they wrestled as single as well Bill superstar Dundee probably one of the best wrestlers I ever saw he had a partner named George Barnes is real good Memphis part of the Midnight Express

[@generalkhan5569]

@@thomasjones4246 yeah The Rock and Mark Henry trained down there at the same time before coming to the WWF.

[@Ddyoutube100]

All these years, and he is still in the same shape, more so better...

[@Arctic_Falcon]

What? He has the water retaining roid look here. Now he has the muscular roid look.

[@jdm9700]

Maaan, The Rock better hope that Kevin Hart never gets hold to this footage. LMAO!

[@moneymarc1378]

What wrong with this footage u idiot

[@_MasterKe]

This his first match they talk about in young rock exact same gear!

[@tonyd7601]

Lawler and Dundee as heels putting over Lawler's son and Flex. It a good name but Johnson could talk and had great athleticism and size.

[@quentinhendrix2375]

Memphis wrestling was fire back then

[@broLAXgoalie12]

Memphis Wrestling was the path that almost all pro wrestlers took before they broke into the wwe.

[@jeffreyriley8742]

That Kavana guy has no talent. Whatever happened to him?

[@joethedreamer140]

he is know today as The Rock

[@joethedreamer140]

he is know today as The Rock

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Joe Cantu I was making a joke. Of course he became The Rock.

[@mangamegs]

think he went back to samoa 😌

[@JohnSmithAprilMay]

jobber to the stars. ate a few pins in the main, nothing major.

[@ajax420336]

Most people don't know this, but Lance Russell is functionally illiterate. In spite of this, he managed to have a long, enduring career in Memphis wrestling.

[@chancegoode173]

Lol flex Kavana what a name. Can you smeeeell what Flex Kavana is thinking!!!

[@jo_rara669]

Little Jerry Lawler and the rock that is priceless

[@Jmacatac]

Young Rock brought me here!!

[@thomassoane4302]

Give it up to The King for helping the Rock in his first match. He had to tell Rocks partner to let him in coz he was being a bit greedy not tagging Rock when the King and Dundee had already made a few tags. The Rock looked great and showed the first signs of a future superstar.

[@Sillysoft]

What the heck? When they get both guys into that lock at the end you just see 4 heads randomly bobbing up and down lol

[@rexsexson5349]

sick lmao

[@dsd310580]

Just saw this re-enacted on Young Rock.

[@vickyshah2]

Crowd cheering GO Flex Go

[@tcw4ever123]

I understand what he, & you were trying to say, & I understand that. That may have been why ROCK/FLEX got cheered, but if you're a babyface, at an Independent wrestling show, you can get over if you know what you're doing. Its not hard. Btw, you're funny insult wasn't needed, but like i said bub, it was funny.

[@perryblackson7105]

Thats hot, I didn't know the Rock started that early, an with the King at that, thats somethin to remember,

[@mstrariel]

Before debut to WWF at the Survivor Series 1996

[@randyjohnson6845]

Who would have ever thought that the Rock would have essentially became illuminated and had a career in the ring and made 43 movies

[@jonburrows2684]

Especially since he can't act. Must be nice to be privileged

[@JoeR203]

Listen to those screams from the dozens....AND DOZENS of fans.

[@user-gh3is2dc2l]

Ooooh 🤔 i was there but its darkness im one of the fans

[@FerretJohn]

Lawler wrestles outside the WWE all the time, even today, . It's been in his contract ever since he joined the company, when he's not doing TV tapings his time is completely his own, including outside bookings.

[@isaiahwinbrone]

Before he was the people's champ

[@dannywestbrook5036]

If you smellllllllllllllllllll! What the Flex is cooking!

[@thomaslemond5913]

Get well soon king and Superstar

[@MH-dw9me]

Umm... Which pixel is The Rock

[@andrewatuahene3234]

His promo skills weren't the best but I'm sure once he got into WWE and then joining the Nation he found himself and became the GOAT that we all see today.

[@GamerAdrian75]

can someone go back in time, and record these matches with a HD video camera?