<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Final Boss\u201d learned who the boss really is as Taylor Swift handed Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson the worst thumping of his career \u2014 film, wrestling or otherwise.<\/p>\n
The Smashing Machine<\/em>, a biopic starring Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr, opened to just $6 million, according to Variety<\/em><\/a> \u2014 a dismal showing for a $50 million film. It\u2019s the lowest opening of Johnson\u2019s Hollywood run, despite early Oscar buzz<\/a>.<\/p>\n Swift\u2019s The Official Release Party of a Showgirl<\/em> topped the box office with a $33 million debut, while Leonardo DiCaprio\u2019s One Battle After Another<\/em> landed in second place.<\/p>\n Before its release, The Smashing Machine<\/em> \u2014 specifically Johnson\u2019s performance \u2014 drew high praise. At the Venice Film Festival, Johnson received a 15-minute standing ovation<\/a>, leaving the action star visibly emotional.<\/p>\n \u201cThat place \u2014 I have chills \u2014 erupted for 15-and-a-half minutes. Before the credits roll and the lights come on, I\u2019m crying. I\u2019m trying to clear my tears away,\u201d said Johnson while on The Tonight Show<\/em> with Jimmy Fallon<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was a touching moment for Johnson, as it has been a rocky road for the former WWE Champion in recent years. His reputation took a hit amid reports of unprofessional behavior on set<\/a> and the failure of Black Adam<\/em>, which some blamed on his ego<\/a>.<\/p>\n In wrestling, fans felt burned when Johnson teased a WrestleMania 41<\/em> appearance<\/a> but then failed to show up. After building a surreal storyline with Cody Rhodes \u2014 where Johnson demanded Rhodes\u2019 soul \u2014 it was John Cena who turned heel instead. Johnson then disappeared entirely from WWE ahead of its biggest event.<\/p>\n