Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine stole the show at the Venice Film Festival. The film is all set to hit the theatres on October 3. Dwayne is not only playing the protagonist but is also one of the producers. The WWE star also known as ‘The Rock’, has gotten a lot of praise for his performance in The Smashing Machine. He even got a 15-minute ovation at the festival.
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What Is The Smashing Machine About?
The movie The Smashing Machine is based on the life of former wrestler-turned MMA fighter Mike Kerr. But the harsh truth is, most people would not have a clue who Mike is until the trailer dropped in late April this year. Only MMA buffs and those who follow UFC regularly would know. To the layman, Mike’s identity is more or less a mystery.
© X/UFCWho Is Mike Kerr?
So who is Mike Kerr? Not only did he earn a name in wrestling but also in mixed martial arts (MMA). He dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In 2002, a documentary was released by HBO about him called The Smashing Machine. That’s the same name by which his biopic is being released.
Mike Kerr’s Success Inside the Ring
In collegiate wrestling, Kerr was an NCAA Division I champion. In freestyle, he won a gold and a silver at the World Cup and a Pan American Games silver. Kerr has won the ADCC World Championship four times in submission wrestling. In 2025, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Kerr had a lot of success in the World Vale Tudo Championship, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships. He won the UFC 14 Heavyweight tournament title.
What Is Mike Kerr Doing Now?
For all his success in the ring, Kerr’s personal life was not as rosy. He married Dawn Staples in 2000 and had a son with her. By 2015, the couple had parted ways. Since then it was revealed that Kerr was working in a Toyota dealership. He was more or less retired 2010 onwards. Kerr is a legend inside the ring but the man is pretty much away from the limelight outside it. Maybe The Smashing Machine can make people look back at the glorious career of Mike Kerr.