10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (Jan 29)

9. The Bo Dallas Character Was Inspired By The Rock

It's hardly surprising that Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson influenced a young Taylor Rotunda when he was growing up watching wrestling. The Rock was a massive part of the 'Attitude' Era, so it's likely he thrilled many future wrestlers with his performances. However, Johnson was a source of inspiration for the character that Rotunda plays on WWE television today. Talking with AL.com to promote upcoming WWE events, Rotunda appeared as Bo Dallas. On TV, Dallas is part of The Social Outcasts, a group of disgruntled performers who have come together as one. During a recent segment also involving Flo Rida, Dallas was allowed to show some of his personality by rapping and generally acting the fool. He says the more goofy parts of his gimmick were influenced by The Rock. Bo Dallas is, in Rotunda's mind, an amalgamation of many different WWF/WWE performers from down throughout the years. As it turns out however, his biggest influence was The Rock's witty banter and focus on audience interaction and participation. That's something a young Rotunda watched keenly, wishing to someday replicate it with his own character.