Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson On Hulk Hogan’s Racist Rant: ‘He’s Paying The Price’

Dwayne Johnson addressed Hulk Hogan’s racist rant and gave some interesting details of their relationship. At HBO’s Television Critics Association’s press tour in Beverly Hills on Thursday, Johnson gave his thoughts on the fellow wrestler’s sudden demise via satellite.

“I’ve known Terry for years. My dad help trained him in Florida in the 1970s, and even my uncle. I come from a long line of professional wrestlers. I didn’t know him (Hulk) to be a racist. It’s funny, it’s one of those things where it’s not definite in terms of what he said. I’m not justifying what he said, but we’ve all talked trash. Especially in private. He said what he said and he’s paying the price.”

During the session Johnson also discussed a new documentary that he is working on for HBO, Rock In A Hard Place. Johnson called the project “near and dear to my heart.” The upcoming Rock doc reflects on the troubles he faced at a young age in Hawaii, and how his family being evicted and forced to move out of the state was “a blessing in disguise.” Johnson will share stories from his turbulent youth including his time at a boot camp in Dade County, Florida that is also a correctional facility. “I’m lucky I didn’t wind up in prison,” Johnson confessed. There’s no release date for the project yet.

Meanwhile Terry Bollea stated that Gawker is responsible for the leaks of the now infamous racist and homophobic rants that have dismantled his entire career “in the blink of an eye.” Hogan claims that Gawker purposely released the confidential audio to divert attention from its own public-relations nightmare regarding the apparent “gay shaming” article and allegations of blackmail that caused two top editors to resign. A hearing on the motion filed in Florida state court is scheduled for Friday. Hulk is suing Gawker Media for $100 million for releasing his sex-tape.

[Deadline]