John Cena recently opened up about the genuine dislike he harbored for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson before their highly anticipated WrestleMania 28 match, revealing he apologized to The Rock’s mother immediately after his defeat.
When Rivalry Was Real
WrestleMania 28 featured one of the most talked-about main events in WWE history: John Cena vs. The Rock. The build-up spanned over a year, complete with intense verbal jabs and personal attacks from both superstars. What many fans didn’t realize at the time was that the animosity wasn’t just for the cameras.
Cena recently confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair that their on-screen feud had a very real foundation. He admitted that both men genuinely didn’t see eye to eye as they headed into the monumental match.
Crossing the Line
According to Cena, the rivalry often blurred the lines between sports entertainment and genuine personal feelings. He recalled moments where their interactions went beyond the script, signaling real tension between them. Cena confessed that he himself contributed to this animosity, even though The Rock had always been cordial to him.
“I did something foolish and started drumming up rumors about things I had no idea about,” Cena stated. While these actions certainly amplified the promotional buzz for the match, Cena now admits they crossed a professional boundary.
Despite his public boasts of never losing, Cena privately knew the outcome of the match from the very beginning of the feud. He understood that The Rock was destined to win that night.
The Apology Tour
Immediately after The Rock secured the victory at WrestleMania 28, Cena made a point to apologize. His first stop was to The Rock’s mother, Ata Johnson, whom he described as “extremely gracious and a class act.”
Following that, Cena went directly to Dwayne Johnson’s locker room to offer a personal apology. He noted that the overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to the match helped ease any lingering bad blood between them, allowing them to move past the genuine animosity.
Beyond the Ring
The epic encounter at WrestleMania 28 eventually led to a highly anticipated rematch the following year, WrestleMania 29, where Cena emerged victorious. Since then, both Cena and The Rock have largely transitioned away from full-time wrestling careers, focusing on their successful Hollywood careers.
While The Rock has made sporadic, impactful returns, often adopting a “Final Boss” persona in recent storylines, Cena has also balanced his acting career with occasional appearances in the ring, continuing to be a beloved figure among WWE fans.
- John Cena genuinely disliked The Rock before their WrestleMania 28 match.
- Cena admits he “crossed the line” with his promotional comments, contributing to the real tension.
- He knew he was going to lose the match from the feud’s outset.
- Immediately after his defeat, Cena apologized to The Rock’s mother and then to Dwayne Johnson himself.
The iconic rivalry ultimately solidified both men’s legacies in professional wrestling, paving the way for their continued success both inside and outside the squared circle.
