At a time where the coronavirus pandemic is still stalking the world, you could say there are more important questions to be answering. But if you spent lockdown in a nostalgia-induced binge of re-watching old classics like the Rocky franchise or Terminator, you’ll know that everything else is simply background noise. It’s 2021 and still we don’t have a decisive answer to the pressing question of just who is the greatest action star of all time. Thankfully, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is here to weigh in on the debate.
Having landed roles in some of the biggest blockbusters to date, The Rock is carving a name for himself in Hollywood as the go-to choice for the buff, action hero of our dreams. With his comedic charm and charisma, he’s captured audiences around the world for his acting prowess, not just his bicep flex and now, he’s even set to make his Marvel movie debut in Black Adam, which is expected to make a December 2021 release. Perhaps in a few years time we might even throw The Rock’s metaphorical hat into that figurative ring, but for now we’re only interested in two names: Schwarzenegger and Stallone.
In his new TV series, Young Rock, The Rock pays tribute to the two men who inspired him in his movie career, bringing back the debate of just who deserves the title of GOAT that has been raging since the mid-‘80s. In a clip shared to Instagram, the Rock’s younger self (played by Uli Latukefu) makes a case for Stallone being the greatest action movie hero of all time, and is soon met with an equally compelling argument for why it’s in fact Schwarzenegger who deserves the acclaim.
Hilariously, it’s the kind of conversation we’ve all had. You need only sit through the opening sequence of Terminator or hear the iconic theme song of Eye of the Tiger and prepare yourself for the montage of fitness shots that soon follow to have entered the debate. The Rock makes it clear in the post that he has no real favourite and admires them both greatly, calling them the true “kings” of action cinema, and even goes on to acknowledge just how both shaped his entry into WWE and later, Hollywood.
“Sly and Arnold were MY HEROES growing up and I will forever be GRATEFUL to them both for being so incredibly kind and supportive of me and my career when I first broke into Hollywood,” he wrote on Instagram. “I just got to be the lucky SOB they welcomed to stand on their shoulders.”
So, it seems the debate rages on but at least The Rock has given us some thoughtful arguments to bring up next time we’re at home and the debate sparks up again.
More From
After enduring a year that would have broken most people, the surprise star of the Tokyo Olympics and Ralph Lauren Fragrances campaign face is feeling relaxed, confident and determined ahead of the Paris Games. As he tells Men’s Health at this week’s Australian Grand Prix, that’s when he’s at his best
The British F1 ace sat down with Men’s Health to chat about his love of Aussie crowds and why his vision for success is as clear as ever.
Business leaders and entrepreneurs are on top for a reason. They set high standards for themselves at work and in the gym
AFL players are among the fittest athletes on the planet with a rare combination of total-body strength and cardio endurance. Here, MH cover star Isaac Heeney reveals his complete preseason training plan. A word of warning: prepare to be gassed.
Men's Health's fitness expert Khan Porter takes you through his step-by-step guide to pulling off the mother of all calisthenics moves: the ring muscle-up.
After a quiet 2023 the Sydney Swans forward is fresh off his first full preseason in a decade. As he tells Men’s Health, now is the time for he and his teammates to fill the void left by you know who and make a premiership run. For Heeney, that could mean making the leap from star to superstar.
A strong back can carry you through life. Here, Men's Health fitness expert Khan Porter reveals his go-to moves to build a back you can count on.
The Australian cricket captain’s gym bag is filled with an eclectic mix of essential training gear and vital nutritional supplements, enabling him to get through a long day in the field... as well as the odd surprise.
Getting hammered on Hinge? In his new column, Men’s Health’s panellist on mental health, Dr Zac Seidler, looks at how dating apps can affect your self-esteem and identifies ways you can turn the tide in your favour.
