While the world knows Dwayne Johnson for his wrestling career and his appearances in blockbuster films, the legend has also been a part of reality TV. Back in 2013, Johnson started a television show called The Hero, where contestants were tested “physically, mentally, and morally” as they strived to win the ultimate title and a cash prize.
Although the show ran for only one season and earned relatively low ratings, Dwayne Johnson’s reality TV series is now sparking headlines. And guess which other wrestling star got dragged into the conversation for his appearance in the show? It’s none other than LA Knight, who apparently won $35,000 for the biggest twist in The Hero.
LA Knight sold his loyalty towards his team for $35,000 on The Hero
Apart from having a successful WWE career, LA Knight and Dwayne Johnson have one thing in common. They were both part of the reality TV show The Hero, back in 2013. While the show was hosted by The Rock, the wrestling star who goes by the name Shaun Ricker appeared as a participant (via @FadeAwayMedia).
Although the show has been out of the air and out of the conversation for over a decade, in the recent few days it sparked discussions on social media. And LA Knight has been the center of that topic not because of his performance, but because of the shocking decision he made for money. During a crucial moment in the competition, he was given a choice: stay loyal to his team or sell out for $35,000.
To everyone’s surprise, although LA Knight stalled for a bit with his unconvincing praise for his team, he later folded and took the cash. His decision created a major twist in the show, sparking debates about whether he was smart or selfish. At the time, LA Knight—who was competing under his real name, Shaun Ricker—was still trying to make it big. So while some criticized him, others saw it as a strategic move.
Therefore, while the show was about putting participants through intense challenges, testing their strength, intelligence, and morals, to eventually pronounce one of them as the winner of the title and the cash prize—LA Knight didn’t win the match despite winning $35K.
Dwayne Johnson’s The Hero ended after one season with low ratings
Now, although The Hero suddenly sparked conversations on social media, the reality TV show failed to last long on television. Despite the intense challenges, moral dilemmas, and Dwayne Johnson’s star power, the show wrapped up after one season. Considering how it was claimed to be a miniseries, it made sense why The Hero went off the air after S1.
However, there’s no denying that despite the unique concept, and the show fueled with action and drama, The Hero struggled to stand out among other reality TV shows from 2013. Some also felt the format was too complicated, blending elements of physical challenges, team dynamics, and moral choices. Therefore, according to RT ratings and reviews, Dwayne Johnson’s show is deemed “muddled”.
So now, although the show ended with a mere 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes, few memorable moments from The Hero remained etched in the internet’s memory. And while the reality TV show didn’t become a long-term hit, it remained a unique part of Dwayne Johnson’s entertainment career.
The Hero is currently available to watch on Prime Video.
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