The matches between The Rock and John Cena in 2012 and 2013 were highly successful for WWE. The Rock went over Cena at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Florida, while Cena won the WWE Title by defeating The Rock at WrestleMania 29 in New Jersey.
Cena revealed on the Howard Stern Show that they didn’t decide on the WrestleMania 28 outcome until just two days prior to the event.
“I kind of knew what was gonna happen like a year in advance (for my match against The Rock at WrestleMania 28). But the decision on how the end would be was put up for debate until about two days before WrestleMania; about who would win and this is a very important thing I think. Certainly, a lot of weight rested on Dwayne’s shoulders because he’s the one who came back and he didn’t need to come back. Right then, he’s on the way to becoming his own universe. He doesn’t need to grace us with his presence. He’s doing okay. So he comes back and he does a lot of dates for us and the build-up is fantastic, we build the thing for a year. It breaks records for WWE, we break attendance records. One of the most successful events of all-time in the company. Two days before, we begin going over what we’re supposed to do… For like five minutes (it was uncomfortable), because we had buffers in Pat Patterson and Arn Anderson and Michael Hayes. We finally have to be in the same space and eventually, we do have to work together and he is so professional and so meticulous and I just wanted to get the match in the ring. So it wasn’t like, hey, we gotta do this and this and this. Ideas would come and I would be like, ‘Yeah, let’s do that, let’s do that, let’s do that.’ So we incorporated every one of his great ideas into the match, even the very end where I get too cocky and ended up losing and the fact that it was a clean loss and he had his moment, this wonderful WrestleMania moment, the reason he came back, this is why he did this.”
The matches between The Rock and John Cena in 2012 and 2013 were some of the most highly anticipated and successful events in WWE history. These two iconic wrestlers faced off in a battle for supremacy, with each match having its own unique outcome.
The first match took place at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Florida. The Rock emerged victorious in this encounter, defeating Cena in a thrilling showdown. This match was a culmination of a year-long build-up, with both wrestlers engaging in intense promos and rivalries leading up to the event. The Rock’s return to the WWE was a major draw for fans, and his clash with Cena created an electric atmosphere.
However, what many fans may not know is that the decision on the outcome of this match was not finalized until just two days before WrestleMania 28. John Cena himself revealed this interesting tidbit during an appearance on the Howard Stern Show. He mentioned that while he had an idea of what would happen a year in advance, the final decision on who would win was up for debate until the last moment.
Cena acknowledged the weight that rested on The Rock’s shoulders during this time. The Rock had already established himself as a successful actor and didn’t necessarily need to come back to the WWE. Yet, he chose to return and put on a series of memorable matches. The success of their clash at WrestleMania 28 broke attendance records and solidified its place as one of the most successful events in WWE history.
The process of deciding the match’s outcome was not without its challenges. Cena described a slightly uncomfortable moment during their discussion, which lasted only about five minutes. However, with the help of experienced individuals like Pat Patterson, Arn Anderson, and Michael Hayes, they were able to work together and create a phenomenal match.
Cena praised The Rock for his professionalism and meticulousness throughout the process. He expressed his desire to simply get the match in the ring and incorporate all of The Rock’s great ideas. This collaboration resulted in a match that captivated the audience and showcased the talents of both wrestlers.
One of the most significant aspects of the match was the clean loss that Cena suffered. The Rock’s victory allowed him to have his WrestleMania moment and fulfill the purpose of his return. Cena acknowledged that this was the reason The Rock came back to the WWE, and he was glad to be a part of it.
The matches between The Rock and John Cena in 2012 and 2013 will always be remembered as iconic moments in WWE history. The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of their first encounter added an extra layer of excitement for fans. The collaboration between these two legendary wrestlers resulted in unforgettable matches that will continue to be celebrated by wrestling enthusiasts for years to come.