Dwayne Johnson suffers injury while filming ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne Johnson, known for his resilience both in and out of the ring, recently sustained an elbow injury on his right arm while filming his upcoming A24 mixed martial arts movie, ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Directed by Benny Safdie, the film is set to premiere in 2025. On Tuesday, May 11, the professional wrestler and actor shared the news with his followers via a video on his social media handles. Despite the injury, the WWE superstar remained optimistic and light-hearted.

In the video, Johnson explained his condition while standing in his kitchen. He humorously remarked, “Any time your film is called 'The Smashing Machine,' you’re going to kind of get smashed up.” He then pointed to his swollen elbow, which looked significantly enlarged, and commented, “It looks like I have a cantaloupe in the bottom of my elbow. I got banged up pretty good today in our scenes, and there might be some soft tissue damage in there. That’s a lot of fluid, we’ll see. I’ve got to get it out of there first before I can get any kind of MRI.”

Despite the severity of the injury, Johnson did not appear overly concerned. He mentioned that he might have soft tissue damage, causing fluid buildup that needed to be drained before undergoing an MRI scan. The actor's calm demeanor likely stems from his extensive experience with injuries throughout his wrestling career.

Reflecting on his mental toughness, Johnson recalled advice from his late father and pro wrestler, Rocky Johnson. “He always used to say, ‘A day without pain is like a day without sunshine, boy,’” Johnson shared. The actor then sought advice from his followers on how to treat the injury, showcasing various anti-inflammatory pills and medicines on camera. However, he humorously revealed his “favorite anti-inflammatory” — a bottle of Teremana Tequila, an alcohol brand he launched in 2020. Pouring himself a glass, Johnson toasted, “Cheers to the melons at the bottom of your arm,” and claimed to feel “better already.”


Johnson’s injury is just one among many he has endured over the years. He has previously torn his pelvis and abdomen wall, undergone four knee surgeries, suffered a torn Achilles heel, endured a ruptured back, and had his shoulders reconstructed. His resilience and positive attitude continue to inspire his fans.

‘The Smashing Machine’ also features an impressive cast, including Emily Blunt, Oleksandr Usyk, Lyndsey Gavin, and Ryan Bader in key roles. As the film progresses towards its 2025 release, fans are eagerly awaiting to see Johnson back in action, showcasing his unparalleled strength and dedication despite the challenges he faces.