Although their paths have not crossed in over two decades, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has not forgotten the impact Wally Buono had on him both personally and professionally.

It was on set during filming of his latest Hollywood hit ‘Jungle Cruise’ where Johnson took another moment to reflect on his time with Buono in the CFL and what the league’s all-time wins leader meant to him.

Johnson tried out for Buono’s Calgary Stampeders in 1995 and, as he eludes to in the video, even suited up in a pre-season tilt against the Lions at BC Place before being cut. All these years later, Buono still remembers his experience with Johnson in great detail.

“Dwayne was always an upbeat guy, real positive,” Buono told bclions.com in 2016.

“He was on the practice roster, but yet always worked hard and what you see today is what he was: always a big personality, a good guy, a fun kind of guy.”

As it turned out, Johnson’s agent had actually requested his release in order to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. That opportunity was, of course, in professional wrestling where Johnson established himself as one of the most dynamic characters in WWE history before extending his brand to the Hollywood scene.

Johnson did a similar shout out to Buono in the CFL while filming his most recent movie ‘Skyscraper’ here in Vancouver.

“If I helped him in any way to be what he is today, then I feel privileged that I was able to do that,” Buono added.

“He’s a bigger personality than life and I’m proud of him. For him to take a moment to acknowledge me makes me feel really good.”

And how cool would it be if they could meet up one more time?

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com