Published: Oct 7, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Oct 7, 2025 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
A WWE Hall of Famer has praised Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for his performance as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine.
The recently released movie has seen Johnson on the receiving end of critical praise, with The Smashing Machine also winning a major award.
With the movie now on general release, Kurt Angle recently attended a screening and heaped praise on The Rock and reflecting on his own history with Kerr, tweeting:
“Just watched The Smashing Machine. What a fantastic film that I believe will be considered a classic.
“Mark Kerr was “The Guy” I had to beat to qualify for the Olympic Games, which pushed me to transform into a version of myself I never thought I could be. Your story, beyond wrestling, is truly inspirational, my friend.
“For Dwayne Johnson to take on such a role and elevate it to another level in his career makes me consider him one of the greatest performers today.
“Watching Dwayne transform into Mark Kerr through this film was like deja vu…..no words, just applause.
“This movie deserves an Oscar, and I believe it will receive the recognition it merits. Well done, my brothers.”
With Kerr missing out on selection for the 1996 Olympic Games, he would switch his focus to mixed martial arts.
Angle would go on to win Gold at that year’s Olympic Games in the United States, competing in the heavyweight freestyle wrestling class.
Johnson underwent a radical body transformation to portray Kerr, and recently spoke about packing on 30lb of muscle.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Most Recent
- ‘She Took Me Under Her Wing’ – Former WWE Star Looked Up To Lola Vice During NXT Run
- Claudio Castagnoli Addresses Sheamus Potentially Joining AEW Following WWE Departure
- ‘It Was Devastating, I Was So Upset’ – Former WWE Star Recalls Being Released By The Company
- ‘He Could Eat Me If He Wanted To’ – AEW’s Billy Gunn Names Current WWE Star As Most Intimidating Person He’s Shared Locker Room With
- NJPW Star Pulled From G1 Climax 36, Forfeits Remaining Matches
- Former UFC Champion Reveals Triple H Talks, WWE Move ‘A Possibility’
- ‘Now I’ve Ruined Women For Life’ – WWE Star Recalls Worrying Call With Vince McMahon
- WWE Star Sporting Arm Brace Following SmackDown Attack
- WWE Hall Of Famer ‘So Happy’ For Big Cass WWE Return After Coming Back From ‘The Pits Of Hell’
- Penta Shares WWE Lucha Brothers Reunion Update
mailing list