10 Fascinating Facts That WWE Fans Always Get Wrong
5. The Rock’s Catchphrases Weren’t All His Own
“If you smell what The Rock is cooking” is one of the most iconic catchphrases in wrestling history—instantly recognisable and forever tied to Dwayne Johnson’s meteoric rise. But here’s a little-known fact: The Rock didn’t come up with it himself, and he wasn’t even the first person to say it on WWE television.
The phrase was originally uttered by Clarence Mason, The Rock’s (then Rocky Maivia’s) on-screen lawyer during his early Nation of Domination days. It was used as part of a promo to hype up the young star, and The Rock later adopted it as his own, turning it into a signature line.
And “lay the smack down”? That wasn’t entirely his invention either. Harvey Wippleman, a long-time backstage figure and manager, is credited with helping coin the phrase during brainstorming sessions. The Rock, of course, delivered it with such charisma that it became synonymous with him—and even inspired the name of a WWE show.
Although The Rock made the lines legendary, their origins are more collaborative than most fans realise.