You know that moment when you’re watching something unfold and you can practically feel the ground shake beneath you? Like, not just a little stir, but something earth-shattering. That was the energy when John Cena and The Rock kicked off their epic feud—an all-out war that would go down in history, forever shaping the WWE landscape for a whole generation of fans.
These two colossal stars from different eras came together for a battle of a lifetime, and it ended in a jaw-dropping showdown at WrestleMania 28. If there’s one thing fans have learned, it’s that when legends collide, it’s more than just a match—it’s an event that demands your attention.
From verbal barbs to epic showdowns, this rivalry was one for the history books, and here’s a look at the top 10 moments leading up to that iconic clash at WrestleMania 28.
10. The Rock returns (February 14, 2011)
Let’s talk about making an entrance! Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson made his long-awaited return to WWE after a seven-year hiatus, and trust us, it was nothing short of a spectacle. On that fateful night of February 14, 2011, as he strolled into the ring as the host of WrestleMania 27, he wasted no time making his presence felt.
What really got the ball rolling, though, was his immediate verbal assault on John Cena, mocking everything from his ‘Doctor of Thuganomics’ persona to his neon-colored ring attire. We remember feeling like the air in the arena practically crackled with energy as he laid the groundwork for a rivalry that would captivate the WWE Universe for months. Over 17,000 fans packed the Honda Center in Anaheim, and every single one of them knew this was only the beginning of something special (see YouTube).
9. John Cena’s rap response (February 21, 2011)
You know that saying “two can play at this game”? Well, John Cena wasn’t going to take The Rock’s jabs lying down. In a jaw-dropping comeback, the former stepped into the ring on the February 21 episode of Monday Night Raw, and out came the old ‘Doctor of Thuganomics’ persona. With a freestyle rap that called out The Rock for abandoning WWE to chase Hollywood dreams, Cena fired back, leaving the crowd divided but thoroughly entertained.
This exchange intensified their rivalry, leading to a series of confrontations that culminated in their ‘Once in a Lifetime’ match at WrestleMania XXVIII in April 2012.
We have to admit, hearing Cena spit those bars about leaving WWE in the dust made it clear this was no ordinary feud—it was personal. His rap wasn’t just a retaliation; it was a declaration of war.
8. WrestleMania 27 confrontation (April 3, 2011)
When The Rock was announced as the host of WrestleMania 27, no one expected he’d be taking things up a notch by inserting himself into the WWE Championship match. But that’s exactly what happened, and the result was pure chaos (see WWE.com). During John Cena’s match against The Miz, The Rock, not content with simply being the host, got involved and cost Cena the title.
To put it simply, the match concluded with The Miz retaining his title, but not without controversy (see YouTube). The Rock’s interference played a pivotal role in the outcome, setting the stage for future confrontations between him and Cena.
If you thought things couldn’t get more heated, this was just the spark that set their rivalry ablaze. It was a wild turn of events that would eventually lead us all the way to Miami for the main event the following year.
7. Match announcement for WrestleMania 28 (April 4, 2011)
The next pivotal moment came on April 4, 2011, during an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, a historic moment unfolded that would shape the future of WWE. In the aftermath of WrestleMania 27, The Rock, who had returned to WWE as the host, confronted John Cena in the ring.
This confrontation led to The Rock accepting Cena’s challenge for a match at WrestleMania 28, scheduled for April 1, 2012, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.
This match, billed as ‘Once in a Lifetime’, alone was enough to make any fan’s heart race with excitement. But what really made it special was the fact that the match was announced a full year in advance. You just knew this wasn’t going to be your average wrestling feud. This was going to be a spectacle, and we were all lucky enough to witness it unfold.
6. War of words (Throughout 2011)
The next several months were filled with a verbal chess match between John Cena and The Rock. This wasn’t just your typical scripted feud—no, this was a battle of egos, pride, and legacies. The Rock took to calling Cena a “Fruity Pebble” (via Facebook) poking fun at his vibrant, colorful persona, while Cena threw shade at The Rock for his Hollywood career, accusing him of abandoning WWE for fame.
It was as if they were both constantly poking each other with verbal sticks, trying to get under the other’s skin. Every promo felt real, raw, and unfiltered. Their back-and-forths became some of the most entertaining exchanges in WWE history, and social media wasn’t safe either.
Cena responded on Instagram by posting a photo of the Fruity Pebbles cereal box, acknowledging the jest (via Wrestle Talk). It was like the entire world was watching two alpha dogs circle each other, waiting for the right moment to strike.
5. Survivor Series tag team match (November 20, 2011)
The 2011 Survivor Series was a turning point in their rivalry. In what was billed as a one-time-only tag match, Cena and The Rock teamed up to face The Miz and R-Truth. On paper, this match seemed like a dream come true for the fans, but it was more about what happened after the match that made it unforgettable.
While Cena and The Rock managed to win the match, the tension between the two was palpable. After the bell rang, in front of a crowd of 16,749 fans at Madison Square Garden, The Rock delivered a Rock Bottom to Cena, reigniting their feud (see WWE.com) with a thunderous exclamation mark.
4. Concert vs. rap battle (March 12, 2012)
As WrestleMania 28 loomed closer, things only heated up between John Cena and The Rock. On March 12, 2012, Raw saw one of the most unique showdowns of their entire rivalry. Cena delivered a freestyle rap that skewered The Rock’s Hollywood persona, and The Rock, not to be outdone, grabbed a guitar and launched into a Rock Concert, dissing Cena with a live song.
The Cleveland crowd ate it up, chanting and booing as the two went back and forth in what was a mix of humor and fierce competition. It was a creative moment that kept fans on their toes, showing just how far both of them were willing to go to get in each other’s heads.
3. Face-to-face confrontation (March 26, 2012)
One week before their monumental clash at WrestleMania 28, The Rock and John Cena had a final face-off during an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw at the Philips Arena in Atlanta. And let us tell you, the intensity in that ring was through the roof. The event drew an attendance of approximately 14,000 fans.
The crowd in Atlanta couldn’t contain their excitement as the two superstars exchanged personal insults, giving the fans one last taste of what they could expect in Miami (see YouTube). Cena spoke about his decade of commitment to WWE, while The Rock flaunted his tempting powerful persona. The crowd was split down the middle, and the atmosphere was electric.
This was it—the calm before the storm.
2. WrestleMania 28 match (April 1, 2012)
The grand finale arrived on April 1, 2012. The event took place at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with an attendance of 78,363 fans. Financially, the pay-per-view garnered approximately 1.3 million buys, setting a new record for the company at the time.
In a match that could only be described as “once in a lifetime”, The Rock and Cena went head-to-head in a bout that lived up to every ounce of its billing.
After a hard-fought battle, filled with signature moves, near-falls, and dramatic moments, The Rock emerged victorious, defeating Cena cleanly. The shockwave from that match sent ripples through the WWE Universe, solidifying The Rock’s place as one of the greatest of all time.
1. Post-match respect
After the dust settled and WrestleMania 28 became history, John Cena offered a moment of respect to The Rock. He acknowledged his defeat with grace. The feud that had taken over WWE for an entire year ended with mutual respect, a fitting conclusion for one of the most heated rivalries the company had ever seen.
The two have surprisingly teamed up in Wrestlemania 41 against Cody Rhodes. As Cena embarks on his last tour before retirement, his heel turn was really unexpected for someone known for hustle and loyalty, even more so than teaming up with The Rock, who he had fought against in the previous Wrestlemania.
The road to WrestleMania 28 was one of the most electrifying builds in WWE history, and it was a showdown that everyone—fans, wrestlers, and casual viewers alike—will remember forever.
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