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WWE: Few rivalries in wrestling history have been as electrifying as John Cena vs. The Rock. Here are the five most defining moments of their legendary feud.
WWE: The rivalry between John Cena and The Rock wasn’t just about titles, it was also about legacy, respect, and personal pride. Spanning over a decade, their clashes featured verbal skirmishes, thrilling matches, and unforgettable moments that captivated WWE fans worldwide. From cutting promos that blurred the line between reality and storyline to main-eventing WrestleMania, this feud showcased two of WWE’s biggest icons going head-to-head in a battle of eras.
When The Rock returned to WWE in 2011 as the host of WrestleMania XXVII, he wasted no time humiliating John Cena in front of millions. With his signature charisma, he mocked Cena’s PG persona, calling him a “Fruity Pebble” and questioning his credibility as WWE’s top star. Cena, never one to back down, fired back with his own sharp words, accusing The Rock of abandoning WWE for Hollywood. The mic battles between these two felt personal, and for the first time, fans saw a version of Cena that was truly vulnerable in a war of words.
Before they clashed in the ring, Cena and The Rock were forced to team up at Survivor Series 2011 against The Miz and R-Truth. Despite their personal hatred, they worked together to dominate their opponents. However, the uneasy alliance ended the moment The Rock laid out Cena with a Rock Bottom after the match. The crowd erupted, knowing that WrestleMania XXVIII was set to be a war.
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Billed as “Once in a Lifetime,” the match between The Rock and John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII was one of the most hyped bouts in WWE history. The Miami crowd was electric as the two icons put on a back-and-forth battle that lasted over 30 minutes. Just when Cena thought he had the match won, he got overconfident, attempted The People’s Elbow, and got caught in a devastating Rock Bottom. The Rock pinned Cena clean, leaving the 16-time world champion stunned and humiliated.
A year later, John Cena was on a mission to redeem himself, but this time, the stakes were even higher as the match was for the WWE Championship. Cena came prepared, countering The Rock’s offense and surviving multiple Rock Bottoms. In the final moments, The Rock went for one last Rock Bottom, but Cena reversed it into an Attitude Adjustment, securing his long-awaited victory. In a surprising show of respect, both men shook hands, signaling the end of their legendary rivalry.
Just when fans thought their rivalry was over, 2025 delivered an unthinkable twist. At Elimination Chamber, Cena turned heel for the first time in decades, aligning himself with The Rock to take down Cody Rhodes. The once-unbreakable babyface had finally embraced the dark side, standing side by side with his former enemy. Fans were left speechless, and WWE now had a new, unstoppable alliance.
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