» Reported by Ryan Allen of WrestleView.com
On Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 8:57 PM EST

Troy Rawhiti-Forbes passed along the following recap...

Hi guys,

This morning The Rock called in to The Morning Rumble radio show on The Rock FM (handy name for a station, isn't it?) down here in New Zealand to talk about Walking Tall, wrestling, his other film projects, and life in New Zealand. The transcript of the interview is below.

Regards,
Troy Rawhiti-Forbes
New Zealand Pro Wrestling Informer
http://www.nzpwi.co.nz

This morning, WWE superstar and Hollywood action hero the Rock phoned in to The Morning Rumble radio show on the aptly-named The Rock FM to talk about his forthcoming film Walking Tall.

The following is a transcription of the interview with hosts Nick Trott, Roger Farrelly and Simon Doull.

Farrelly: He's a wrestler, a movie star. The man himself - The Rock! Good morning.

Rock: Good morning, thank you guys for having me on. I appreciate it. And it's a pleasure to be on a radio station that was named after me, so you guys... hey, thank you. That's really, really cool.

Trott: Now Rock, your movie career has really sort of taken off now. How does your wrestling experience help you when making a movie? I mean, it must help you with doing your own stunts.

Rock: Well yeah, definitely. I would say it did, and you know, coming from that background - that physical background of wrestling and growing up in professional wrestling. I loved that, and making the transition did help me in that respect that I was able to take a punch, throw a punch, understand the importance of learning how to fall, protecting myself. Protecting the guy that I'm in an action sequence with was so important as well. And plus, y'know, I promise you I'm so lucky I get to do movies that range from comedies to action comedies, and a movie like Walking Tall where I'm able to take a big stick and just whoop candy asses with it.

Trott: Now did you get any tips from "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan?

Rock: (laughs) Yeah, you know - it's funny, I probably owe him a little bit of money. It's called "gimmick infringement."

Farrelly: Rock, your new movie is called Walking Tall. Johnny Knoxville's in it. Did he do any bizarre stuff to you - or to himself - when you were on set?

Rock: Yeah, you know what's funny? He would... he's Crazy #1 as you guys can imagine, from Jackass, but I was so impressed with him because he really wanted to put on a good performance and he wanted to break out of the Jackass mould, if you will. So I was really happy about that, and he did a great job. And the thing about it is with him, is like, I expected him to be like "Hey Rock, put this bottle rocket somewhere" or something like that and I was like "nah, I'm not gonna do that. Not today!"

Doull: Rock, who was the toughest opponent you ever faced in the ring when you were wrestling?

Rock: I would have to say a guy by the name of Mick Foley. You know, who was very, very passionate about the business. Not only that, but what made him great in my eyes was he was such a professional and he was such a good guy and it it's just so rare to find those two qualities together. Plus, he would do things that would make Hollywood stuntmen quiver. A lot of times in Hollywood, obviously, we protect our stuntmen and the stunt teams with padding; making sure that everybody was very safe. Mick would just do it with no padding and without inhibition. He was crazy, but very, very tough.

Farrelly: Rock, it's true isn't it, that you spent some time in New Zealand?

Rock: Sure. I used to live in the Grey Lynn area. I've got a lot of family there still, and they're probably listening. I just want to say a quick "Talofa" to those guys, and just "hey" to everybody there. I can't wait to go back.

Farrelly: We're just down the road actually. We're in Ponsonby.

Trott: Actually, which house did you live in? We can probably see it from here.

Rock: (laughs)

Trott: Have you ever cried after losing a match?

Rock: Fortunately for me, I never did that because I've lost a lot more than I won. So I would be one cryin' son of a bitch if that happened.

Trott: Thank you, because we had a bit of a debate.

Doull: Rock, what's the best thing about your new movie?

Rock: I would say the fact that it's based on a true story. It's a moving movie. It's got so much heart and soul. I'm really, really proud of the movie; it's got great reviews over in the states and I'm so excited that it's being released now internationally. It's got a lot of entertainment in the movie, and what happens in when you watch it and you see these scenes that are really moving and pivotable... pivotable? Yes, I know I should have been drunk when I did this... (hosts laugh) and really pivotal, thank you, is that you are reminded constantly - at least how it was for me, was like, "wow, this really really happened. This is a true story." I'm very proud of the movie.

Trott: When are you gonna play a bad guy?

Rock. Funny you should ask. Funny you should ask. The one movie that I just wrapped... I just wrapped a movie with John Travolta and Uma Thurman. (hosts laugh) I know - you're laughing already! I play the bad guy in the movie who is gay, by the way. A "fa'afafine" as we say in the Samoan community. (laughs)

Farrelly: We love your movies. It's been absolutely fantastic talking to you. Scorpion King is just a great movie. Welcome To The Jungle, of course, is very good as well. Walking Tall - the new one - hits New Zealand screens in August, so we can't wait. New Zealand can't wait for that. It's gonna be good.

Rock: I can't wait as well for it to come out. And I will say this - I've gotta go on the record - this is the first ever interview I've ever done in New Zealand, so it's awesome and I wanna thank you guys. Thank you.

Farrelly: Well, thank you very much for choosing The Rock.

Rock: For sure, definitely guys. Thank you.