Dwayne Johnson Stars as Syracuse University Alum in Must-See A24 Film: What to Expect!

One of the exciting new films this fall is “The Smashing Machine,” inspired by the life of Mark Kerr, a Syracuse University alumnus. Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, takes on the role of Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the film will hit theaters next week and also features Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend.

Kerr’s journey began in Toledo, Ohio, where he excelled in wrestling. At Syracuse, he won the NCAA Division I championship at 190 pounds in 1992, defeating the future MMA star Randy Couture. Reflecting on his victory, Kerr shared, “I felt like I was relieved of a thousand pains I had suffered. The joy came afterward.”

Despite his success, Kerr’s life took a turn when he faced challenges at Syracuse. In 1989, he was suspended for a year after being arrested for theft. This setback caused him to lose his athletic scholarship. While waiting to return, he worked as a roadie for major rock bands at the New York State Fair, including The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi.

Kerr faced serious personal struggles during this time. A 2015 article from Sports Illustrated noted that he fell into alcohol and drug abuse, which led to significant weight gain. However, he turned his life around. After enrolling at Onondaga Community College, he regained his scholarship at Syracuse, won a national title, and graduated in 1992.

Pursuing his Olympic dreams, Kerr initially aimed for the 1996 Games. He became a senior freestyle champion but lost in the Olympic trials to Kurt Angle. This led him to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was eager to prove himself. “I had this drive to be considered a professional,” Kerr said about his early motivation in the UFC.

Kerr quickly gained fame for his aggressive style, earning him the nickname “The Smashing Machine.” He was set to headline a UFC event in Syracuse in 1996, but controversy surrounding the sport led to its brief ban in New York, forcing many fighters, including Kerr, to seek opportunities abroad. He found success in Japan, winning titles, but also battled depression and painkiller addiction. He suffered an overdose in 1999 and eventually retired in 2009.

“The Smashing Machine” film will explore these tumultuous times, including his short marriage to Blunt’s character. This movie is poised to resonate deeply, as MMA has exploded in popularity. Just last month, Paramount secured exclusive UFC streaming rights for approximately $7.7 billion.

Dwayne Johnson has long wanted to bring Kerr’s story to life. They even trained together in the ‘90s at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach. For his transformation into Kerr, Johnson invested three hours daily in hair, makeup, and prosthetics. He also took a real punch from an MMA fighter during filming, giving him an authentic experience of being in the ring.

Kerr’s legacy in MMA was solidified this year when Johnson inducted him into the UFC Hall of Fame, emphasizing Kerr’s role as a pioneering fighter. According to Dana White, president of the UFC, “Mark Kerr was a high-level wrestler who also fought for PRIDE and was one of the early pioneers of the sport.”

“The Smashing Machine” premieres on October 3, and it promises to bring a powerful story of resilience and redemption to the big screen.

For further insights on the evolution of MMA, you can explore this article from [ESPN on the rise of MMA](https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29733937/how-mma-became a multi-billion-dollar-giant).

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