Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a striking appearance at the Venice Film Festival, drawing attention not only for his new biopic The Smashing Machine but also for his visibly slimmer physique. The WWE legend, known for his towering frame, was spotted in Venice during Labor Day weekend, prompting fans to jokingly dub him “Pebble” due to his reduced muscle mass.
Johnson’s transformation took center stage as he attended the premiere of The Smashing Machine, where he portrayed mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. The film, which also stars Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife, earned critical acclaim, with Johnson receiving a lengthy standing ovation. During the event, footage captured the actor wiping away tears, fueling speculation about his emotional response to the reception.
In a press conference, Johnson reflected on his desire for roles that challenge him physically and creatively. “I’ve been very fortunate… but there was this voice inside of me, ‘What if? What if I could do more?’” he said. His comments highlighted his ambition to push boundaries beyond his established action-star persona.
The discussion took a contentious turn when Joe Rogan, a prominent podcast host and UFC commentator, accused Johnson of using steroids. Rogan, discussing disgraced fitness influencer Brian Johnson (the Liver King), claimed there was “no way” Johnson could maintain his physique without performance-enhancing drugs. “There’s not a f–king chance in hell he’s clean,” Rogan asserted, demanding the actor address the allegations directly.
The remarks reignited debates about celebrity health practices and public accountability, though Johnson has yet to respond publicly.