Big Update on The Rock and “Fast Five;” Photos Included

May 4, 2011

Right before heading to Miami for his big birthday celebration on WWE Monday Night Raw, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson caused all sorts of pandemonium in Europe at the Cologne premiere of "Fast 5."

The movie, by the way, is a runaway smash hit.

Fast 5’s estimated $83.6 million opening was not only the best yet for the "Fast and Furious" franchise but the biggest opening of 2011 so far, plus the largest in Universal Pictures history (beating "The Lost World: Jurassic Park") and the third-highest opening outside of the holiday or summer seasons. Overall, according to several reports, "Fast 5" gave the box office a 52 percent boost.

Co-producer and star Vin Diesel can also celebrate the movie’s solid reviews. This is the first of the franchise’s films to get thumbs up from the critics. Even The Rock’s birthday celebration on Monday, capped off by the video introduced by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, was very well received. The show was praised online by such Rock rivals as Stone Cold Steve Austin, so it’s been a really good week for The Rockl!

For much more on the "Fast 5" movie, and to see exclusive photos of The Rock in Europe, click on the appropriate links below.

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Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.