And now he's shared footage of himself presenting Wippleman, real name Bruno Lauer, with a new Ford F-150 pick-up truck for Christmas as a thank you for helping him as a youngster.
He posted the heartwarming clip on Instagram, with a lengthy and humorous caption to explain the reason behind his gift.
"My life (especially my teenage years) has been full of the wildest twists and turns – yet God and the universe had always found a way to put a few people in my path that would change the trajectory of the road I was going down," The Rock wrote.
"Meet one of my lifelong friends, Bruno Lauer — or as I prefer to call him, 'Downtown Bruno'.
"My mom and I were evicted off the island of Hawaii and I was sent to Nashville, Tennessee to live with my dad.
"When I landed in Nashville, I quickly found out I wasn't gonna live with my dad. S**t happens, plans change and that's the way it goes.
"Instead, I told I was gonna live with a guy named Bruno. Who at the time lived in a tiny room at a spot called the Alamo Plaza motel."
Bruno as heel manager Harvey Wippleman. Photo / Supplied
"Bruno could've (and should've) said hell no, I'm not takin' in some kid who I don't know. But he didn't.
"He took this punk kid in and we became lifelong friends.
"Then ironically – about 9 years later when I had the infamous '$7 Bucks' in my pocket – I started my wrestling career in Memphis, Tennessee and AGAIN – had no place to live and Bruno took me in and let me shake up in his trailer, til I could get on my feet.
"And hell, when I was 15yrs old, Bruno even gave me his last $40 bucks so I could hustle a crackhead out of his car one night at a honky tonk in Nashville.
"But the hustle was on me, because when I took off down the road there was a SECOND CRACKHEAD passed out on the floor in the back! Wild times at 15yrs old."
The Rock continued: "Merry Christmas, Bruno and since you helped me 'buy' my first car – I figured I could return the favour and buy you one that 100% does NOT have a crackhead in the back seat. I love you, brother.
"Your kindness and heart – helped change my life's trajectory. And when you're ready to retire from 'the business' you just say the word. I got you covered. We'll go 'downtown'.
