A rare, autographed ticket from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s professional wrestling debut has sold for $10,980 at Heritage Auctions in Texas.
Johnson, then known as Rocky Maivia, made his World Wrestling Federation (WWF) television debut on November 17, 1996, at the 10th annual Survivor Series pay-per-view event held at Madison Square Garden. The ticket, signed "Rock" in blue Sharpie, was graded a 1.5 for condition by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), indicating significant wear, but received a perfect 10 for the autograph itself.
The item is considered exceptionally rare, categorized as a "Pop One" by PSA, meaning only one other example of this ticket is known to exist with a higher grade. This scarcity contributed to the high bidding price.
The sale price of £8,200 (approximately $10,980) was achieved after a competitive bidding process involving 15 participants, with the final price including a buyer's premium. The auctioneers noted that only one other ticket from this specific debut event is graded higher, making it a highly sought-after collectible for wrestling enthusiasts.
Johnson's entry into the WWF marked the beginning of a career that would see him become a central figure in the "Attitude Era" of professional wrestling from 1997 to 2002. He wrestled full-time for eight years before transitioning to a successful career in acting.
This sale follows other significant transactions in wrestling memorabilia. In July, a rare 1-of-1 dual autograph trading card featuring "The Rock" and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin sold for $82,825, becoming the second most expensive WWE trading card ever. The most expensive WWE trading card on record is a 1982 Wrestling All-Stars Series A Hulk Hogan (PSA 9), which previously sold for $132,000.