Rock vs. Cena: The Explosive Feud that Rocked the Wrestling World

WWE Rivals delves into the well-known feud between wrestling legends The Rock and John Cena. In an exclusive preview from the second season of A&E's show, fans get a retrospective look at the iconic rivalry between these two figures, who also happen to be two of Hollywood's most philanthropic stars.

The clip commences with an announcer's voice, accompanied by archival WWE footage, emphasizing the stature of these two luminaries from their era, highlighting them as two of the most exceptional wrestling superstars ever, clashing head-to-head. 

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was the face of WWE during the '90s until he transitioned into Hollywood, while Cena was on the rise within WWE as The Rock ventured into the world of movies. Cena openly criticized his predecessor both on and off-screen, which culminated in a highly anticipated showdown in 2012, followed by another encounter the next year. In 2011, Cena began publicly questioning The Rock's commitment to the wrestling business, noting that The Rock hadn't stepped into the ring for 8 years.

In one vintage clip, The Rock comments on Cena "talking a big game" and refers to him as an "idiot with confidence," setting the stage for their much-anticipated Wrestlemania match.

In another behind-the-scenes clip, The Rock talks about how he plans to give John Cena a hard time, playfully mentioning putting his boot where Cena's "candy ass" is.

Following the iconic event, Cena, dressed in a suit, reflects in a confessional-style interview, acknowledging that both he and The Rock came out swinging, and the intensity was as genuine as one can imagine.

Despite their years-long verbal sparring and their memorable face-to-face battles, Cena has recently expressed nothing but admiration for The Rock. Cena, who made a return to the wrestling ring in 2021 after a hiatus, expressed his hope for The Rock's return to the sport, which eventually happened in January when he hosted Wrestlemania 27.