Credit: WWE.com
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has expanded his stake in TKO Group Holdings the parent company overseeing WWE and UFC by acquiring an additional 8,046 shares through a vesting plan tied to his board compensation, according to a recent SEC filing dated September 3, 2025. This latest acquisition underscores Johnson’s ongoing deepening involvement not only in WWE’s storylines but also in its corporate leadership.
Johnson’s Growing Role: From WWE Legend to Corporate Shareholder
Since joining TKO’s Board of Directors in January 2024, The Rock has been steadily increasing his ownership in the company through stock awards tied to his board membership. The initial grant of 193,115 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) was apportioned with half vesting at the end of 2024 and the remainder distributed in equal monthly installments through December 2025. The recent allotment of 8,046 shares corresponds to one of these monthly tranches, bringing his total direct holdings to 354,045 shares.
This stock-based compensation is equity awarded as part of Johnson’s compensation package rather than a purchase at market value, with the shares recorded at a $0 price per share in the SEC filing.
Financial Impact and Valuation
The Rock’s ownership of TKO shares is valued in the tens of millions of dollars, representing a significant financial stake in the future of WWE and UFC. By the end of 2025, Johnson is expected to have vested a total of approximately 386,231 shares, valued at over $41 million based on recent share prices near $142 per share. This stake is under 1% of all TKO shares, reflecting significant but still minority ownership within the conglomerate.
An industry insider explained, “Dwayne’s stock position is not just about the shares themselves it symbolizes his strategic foothold in the evolving sports and entertainment empire that WWE and UFC are becoming under Endeavor’s majority control.”
The Broader Corporate Landscape: Endeavor’s Influence and the End of McMahon Control
TKO Group Holdings was formed following the September 2023 merger of WWE and UFC under Endeavor, which now holds the majority voting power with over 51% of shares. This merger ended the McMahon family’s decades-long dominant control of WWE, a shift that has transformed the company’s corporate governance.
With Vince McMahon’s resignation in early 2024 and the loss of his exceptional voting rights, the landscape is now one where board members like Johnson have a more meaningful voice, albeit as minority shareholders. The Rock’s board membership and accompanying equity position place him among the key public faces and stakeholders driving WWE’s next chapters within the larger TKO portfolio.
Legacy and Cultural Significance
For Johnson, this role carries profound personal and historical significance. When he joined the TKO board last year, he gained full ownership of the trademark “The Rock,” cementing both creative and business control over a legacy he inherited from his grandfather Peter Maivia and father Rocky Johnson both pioneering figures in wrestling. Johnson commented at the time, “Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is unprecedented and inspiring as my crazy life comes full circle.”
His continued stock vesting signals more than just financial gain; it signals his commitment to influencing WWE’s strategic direction. This was recently reflected in his appearances on WWE programming in 2024 and his involvement with WWE Raw’s transition to Netflix in 2025, further bridging his corporate role with his iconic on-screen presence.
What’s Next for The Rock and TKO?
Sources within WWE’s inner circle suggest that Johnson’s growing equity stake and board involvement will dovetail with enhanced behind-the-scenes influence. “Expect The Rock to be more than just a figurehead,” a source hinted. “His ties to the company are now firmly rooted in governance and business strategy, which could impact talent relations, brand expansions, and media partnerships going forward.”
As WWE continues its media evolution with high-profile deals like Raw’s Netflix launch, having a world-renowned star like The Rock as a board member and shareholder reinforces the company’s efforts to blend legacy star power with future business innovation.