John Cena Reflects on His Relationship with The Rock and the Current WWE Landscape
John Cena recently opened up about his past differences with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson during his appearance on WWE’s The Bump. The two wrestling icons, once fierce rivals, have come a long way since their heated exchanges and headline matches.
Back in February 2009, Cena didn’t hold back, criticizing The Rock for seemingly moving away from WWE to pursue a career in Hollywood. This tension escalated when The Rock played a pivotal role in Cena’s defeat at WrestleMania 27 against The Miz. Their rivalry reached its peak as they faced off in the main events of WrestleMania 28 and 29.
However, time heals all wounds. Cena expressed regret over his past remarks, admitting last year that he had “spoken out of ignorance.” Their paths crossed again backstage at SmackDown on September 15, marking their first interaction since Cena’s heartfelt apology. The Rock’s surprise visit to the show provided an opportunity for the two to reconnect.
During his chat on The Bump, Cena delved deeper into his feelings about their past:
“Over the years, I’ve come to understand that our initial competition might have been a misstep on my part. I’ve always been sincere in my apologies, acknowledging that my approach back then was about doing what I believed was best for business. And indeed, we did achieve tremendous success.”
He added, “Reuniting with a friend who’s so giving of his time was truly special. We had a meaningful conversation, and it was important for me to convey my apologies directly to him. It was a heartwarming moment to reconnect with an old friend.”