Dwayne Johnson has been appointed to the board of directors at TKO, the company have confirmed.

TKO, a premium sports and entertainment company, made its biggest move in its history late last year when it became the umbrella company of UFC and WWE through Endeavor, who purchased the WWE from Vince McMahon.

Johnson is one of the most popular WWE stars of all time, and recently returned to the company with it looking like he will face real-life cousin Roman Reigns sooner rather than later.

And the chances of that happening seem to be more likely than ever, with the man himself now involved on the board of the company, with WWE also entering a services and merchandise agreement with the performer which grants him full ownership of the ‘The Rock’ name going forward.

TKO said Johnson’s appointment reflects the brand’s ‘long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE’.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been appointed to the board of directors at TKO following its WWE takeover

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been appointed to the board of directors at TKO following its WWE takeover

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been appointed to the board of directors at TKO following its WWE takeover

The Rock returned to WWE earlier this year and seems set to wrestle in the company in the near future

The Rock returned to WWE earlier this year and seems set to wrestle in the company in the near future

The Rock returned to WWE earlier this year and seems set to wrestle in the company in the near future

Johnson said on the appointment: ‘My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come, which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me.  A table that my family helped to build. 

‘Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, “The Rock”, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari is building something truly game changing. 

‘I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.’

The Rock has appeared sporadically in WWE since joining Hollywood but could be set for a match soon

The Rock has appeared sporadically in WWE since joining Hollywood but could be set for a match soon

The Rock has appeared sporadically in WWE since joining Hollywood but could be set for a match soon

The now-51-year-old first started out in WWE in 1996 in his mid-20s, and enjoyed an early run as intercontinental champion despite some struggles due to his inexperience.

He quickly rose up the ranks in the company, and became a 10-time World Champion, most recently holding a world title belt in 2013, before losing it to then-rival John Cena.

His WWE appearances during his Hollywood career have been sporadic at best, but he teased a match with Reigns on the January 1 edition of RAW after previously admitting he had been working on an idea for how he could face his cousin.

The 51-year-old has teased a match with real-life cousin Roman Reigns (left), which could take place this year

The 51-year-old has teased a match with real-life cousin Roman Reigns (left), which could take place this year

The 51-year-old has teased a match with real-life cousin Roman Reigns (left), which could take place this year

Reigns is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and the story around most of his reign has involved his family

Reigns is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and the story around most of his reign has involved his family

Reigns is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and the story around most of his reign has involved his family

Ariel Emanuel, TKO CEO, added: ‘I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board. Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.’

And former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who is now Executive Chairman of the Board, said: ‘Very few people on the planet understand the convergence of sports, entertainment, media, and business like Rock. We are proud to have him join the TKO board to help take our company to new heights.’

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