The rivalry between John Cena and The Rock remains one of the most electrifying feuds in WWE history. Two of the biggest names in professional wrestling clashed in a battle that spanned years, culminating in two epic WrestleMania main events.
Their feud wasn’t just about championship gold—it was a war of words, legacy, and the battle between two eras of WWE superstars.
Origins of the Feud
John Cena rose to prominence in the early 2000s, becoming WWE’s franchise player. By 2005, he had won his first WWE Championship, and his popularity skyrocketed. However, during this time, The Rock had already transitioned to Hollywood, making fewer WWE appearances.
For years, Cena criticized The Rock for leaving wrestling. He believed that true superstars should remain loyal to the company. This created real-life tension between the two, making their rivalry more personal than scripted.
The tension finally boiled over in 2011 when The Rock returned to WWE after a seven-year absence.
The Rock Returns to Confront Cena
In February 2011, The Rock made a shocking return to WWE as the host of WrestleMania 27. He immediately targeted Cena, calling him out for disrespecting him. Cena responded with his signature raps, firing shots at The Rock for abandoning WWE for Hollywood.
Their verbal battles grew intense, making their feud feel more authentic. WrestleMania 27 saw The Rock interfere in Cena’s match against The Miz for the WWE Championship. He cost Cena the match, setting the stage for a dream showdown.
Once in a Lifetime: WrestleMania 28
One of the most anticipated matches in wrestling history took place at WrestleMania 28 (April 1, 2012) in Miami, Florida. WWE promoted it as a “Once in a Lifetime” clash.
The buildup was massive. Cena and The Rock insulted each other weekly on Raw, with both men claiming to be the face of WWE. Cena argued that he carried WWE during The Rock’s absence, while The Rock insisted that he laid the foundation for superstars like Cena.
The match itself lasted over 30 minutes, with both superstars delivering their best moves. After a back-and-forth battle, The Rock defeated Cena with a Rock Bottom. The victory solidified The Rock’s status as one of WWE’s greatest icons.
The Rematch: WrestleMania 29
Despite WWE’s “Once in a Lifetime” tagline, the rivalry wasn’t over. The Rock won the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2013, setting up a rematch with Cena at WrestleMania 29 (April 7, 2013).
This time, Cena was determined to prove himself. He admitted that losing to The Rock in 2012 haunted him. WWE built the match around Cena’s redemption story, with the championship on the line.
The rematch had a different tone. The Rock, now a Hollywood megastar, defended his title while Cena sought revenge. After another hard-fought battle, Cena finally defeated The Rock, reclaiming the WWE Championship.
After the match, Cena and The Rock shook hands, ending their two-year-long rivalry with mutual respect.
Legacy of Their Rivalry
The feud between Cena and The Rock remains one of the most profitable rivalries in WWE history. Their WrestleMania 28 match broke pay-per-view records, drawing over 1.2 million buys. Their feud also blurred the lines between reality and storytelling, as their personal tension fueled fan excitement.
Cena continued his WWE career for several more years, eventually transitioning into Hollywood. The Rock, already a global movie star, made sporadic WWE appearances but remained a legendary figure.Their rivalry symbolized the clash between WWE’s past and present, delivering two unforgettable WrestleMania main events. Fans still debate which superstar had the bigger impact, but one thing is certain—Cena vs. The Rock will forever be one of WWE’s greatest rivalries.
