
John Cena Reflects on Apologizing to Ata Johnson After WrestleMania 28 Showdown With The Rock
John Cena
and
The Rock
are perhaps two of the biggest WWE stars of all time. And when it was announced that the two icons were scheduled to face each other at WrestleMania 28, fan excitement was at an all-time high.
The interesting thing was that the match was made official on Raw right after WrestleMania 27, a whole year in advance. Therefore, the build-up to the clash was iconic in itself.
When the duo met in Sun Life Stadium in what was billed as 'Once in a Lifetime', fans got the best parts of both eras. The Attitude era vs. The PG Era. It is only natural that the two legends tried their best to build excitement for the bout. However, this got fishy at times with both stars hurling insults at each other.
And owing to this, Cena recently revealed that he had apologised to The Rock's mother as a gesture of goodwill after their Miami encounter was set and done.
John Cena Says
Ata Johnson
Was Cool About His Personal Remarks
While speaking to Vanity Fair about his journey with The Rock, Cena reflected on apologizing to Ata Johnson regarding the personal comments the current WWE Champion made for the build-up to their iconic clash.
'After the show is over, the very first thing I do is apologize to Dwayne's mother because she was the first person I saw.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Niterói (consulte o preço)
Alarmes
Undo
by Taboola
by Taboola
And I apologized and said, 'I hope you understand I was just trying to do what was best for tonight.' She, having the experience and wisdom – of course – she was extremely gracious and a class act like she always is, but it was important for me to get that weight off my backpack.'
John Cena Rewatches WWE, Barbie, Peacemaker & More | Vanity Fair
Johnson has been part of the famous Samoan Wrestling Dynasty from the get-go, so she was aware of how things run in the professional wrestling business.
Being the wife of WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson and the mother of The Rock, she understood the importance of promos and buildup. That is the reason she was calm about how things unfolded during her son's rivalry with Cena.
For the unversed, Cena's main point about The Rock during their rivalry was that he left the WWE for the bright lights of Hollywood. Moreover, Cena also called Johnson selfish for not caring enough for the fans and not appearing regularly on WWE television.
An infamous segment featured the duo in which the 17-time Champion pointed out that Johnson had written his promo lines on his hands and that Cena didn't need to do it, as he could memorize his lines pretty well. The duo went on to have another match at WrestleMania 29 for the WWE title, which Cena won after losing their first encounter a year prior.
Moreover, Cena recently joined The Rock and 'sold his soul' to turn heel for the first time since 2003 and won his record 17th WWE title at WrestleMania 41 by beating Cody Rhodes. And just like Johnson from 2012, Cena is now a bona fide movie star himself with prominent roles in The Peacemaker series and the Fast & Furious franchise.
Also read:
Former WWE NXT Champion reflects on reports of most harassed wrestlers online
Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Jamai No. 1 actress Simaran Kaur champions authenticity and balance online; says 'Social media is for us, not the other way round'
Actor Simaran Kaur , known for winning hearts with her charm and talent in Jamai No.1, is refreshingly candid when it comes to social media. With a massive fanbase that admires her for both her performances and authenticity, Simaran has a grounded perspective on how digital platforms impact actors and the entertainment industry. 'Social media is undoubtedly important for an actor — it's how we stay connected with our fans,' Simaran says. 'There are so many people who shower love, blessings, and support. That connection is beautiful. But I consciously limit my screen time. There's so much more to life that demands attention, and I've even set screen usage limits for myself.' While she acknowledges the significance of having a digital presence, she is equally wary of the pitfalls. 'It can quickly become addictive if you're not careful. But I've never let it control me. I always remind myself — social media is for us; we are not for social media,' she states firmly, reflecting her mindful approach. Simaran also addresses the growing industry trend of judging actors based on follower count. 'People often assume that a high follower count is equal to talent. But I don't agree. An actor should be hired for their skill, dedication, and the work they've done — not for their online numbers,' she says. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tetange: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'Craft should always take precedence over digital popularity.' On the topic of oversharing, Simaran believes in striking a healthy balance. 'Some people put everything out there — every moment becomes content. I believe in boundaries. Not everything needs to be on display. But again, it's a personal choice, and everyone uses social media in their own way.' Her guiding principle, however, remains clear: authenticity. 'I've never tried to be someone I'm not. I don't strategize my posts or overthink them. I share what feels right, when it feels right. The key is to stay real — that's what truly connects.' Whether it's through her acting, her voice work as Nobita, or her popular dance reels, Simaran Kaur stands out for her sincerity. In an age of curated perfection, her realness offers a breath of fresh air — reminding us that staying true to oneself never goes out of style. Simaran Kaur: I got my first love letter in school


Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
'SSMB29' update: No birthday surprise for Mahesh Babu fans as Rajamouli skips traditional release plans
Picture Credit: X It is common practice among South Indian filmmakers to release a motion poster on an actor's birthday as a treat to fans. With superstar Mahesh Babu teaming up with SS Rajamouli for their much-anticipated film, expectations were high that the makers would unveil something special on the 'Guntur Kaaram' actor's birthday. However, this year, it appears that fans will have to wait a little longer. No birthday glimpse this year According to a report by India Today, director SS Rajamouli has taken a deliberate decision to skip the traditional birthday release, focusing instead on building something far more grand in scale and scope. It has been reported that the makers discussed releasing a title teaser or a concept poster for Mahesh 's birthday, but the ace director did not want the release to be rushed just to meet a date for the momentary hype. No mass poster moments SS Rajamouli, after the global success of 'RRR', is reportedly creating an international-level action-adventure film that aims to appeal not just to Telugu cinema fans but to audiences worldwide. It is also said that the film won't be a typical mass film with a poster with fiery eyes and a punchline. The project is still in deep pre-production, with multiple test shoots, costume and makeup trials, and stunt choreography underway. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Duong Bach Dang: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola The makers are reportedly collaborating with international stunt teams, Oscar-winning technicians, and high-end VFX studios. A grand project is in the works While fans may be momentarily disheartened, it is expected to be worth the wait as Rajamouli reportedly has something massive planned for the reveal on his own timeline and wants the first glimpse to shake up not just Indian social media but film conversations worldwide. Alongside Mahesh Babu, 'SSMB29' also stars Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran and is expected to release in 2027.


Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Novak Djokovic joins TikTok trend with viral Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk dance in bright yellow suit
Novak Djokovic joins TikTok trend with viral Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk dance in bright yellow suit (Image via Getty) Novak Djokovic , a tennis champion from Serbia, posted a short video on his TikTok account on August 1, 2025. In the clip, Novak Djokovic dances to Bruno Mars ' hit song 'Uptown Funk.' He shows his more laid-back attitude and moves with confidence. Novak Djokovic begins the music by tapping his phone. He stands out in a bright yellow suit on film. As Novak Djokovic steps and twirls in the fast clip, he grins. Fans all across saw the video and reacted quickly. Novak Djokovic surprises fans with TikTok dance to Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk' Originally joining TikTok in 2024, Novak Djokovic sought to interact with admirers. Behind-the--scenes videos and amusing events from his tennis life are shared on his channel. Novak Djokovic attempts motions that fans use in the #UptownFunkChallenge in this new dance video. He spins, waves his arms, and taps his foot. — amekingdra (@amekingdra) Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars first published the song in 2015. Fans write nice comments on Novak Djokovic's video. Many claim they enjoy watching the victor dance. Other sports stars on TikTok also share similar clips. Novak Djokovic's video has over one million views in twenty-four hours. It shows how Novak Djokovic stays young at heart. Novak Djokovic's yellow suit steals spotlight and wins internet praise Novak Djokovic wore a bright yellow suit in the video. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The suit had a jacket and matching pants. He matched it with white sneakers. Fans left happy comments under the post. One fan wrote, 'The yellow suit is so cool!' Another said, 'Novak, you even make the dance look easy.' Some fans used yellow emojis to show love. Reports say Novak Djokovic chose yellow to match the sunny mood of the song. The bright color makes the video feel joyful. Also Read: Jeff Passan brutally exposes Doug Mientkiewicz in viral MLB clash over Edgleen Perez controversy Through the music and suit, Novak Djokovic shows he likes fun off the court. He wins praise not just for tennis but for his style too. Fans now wait for his next move. Novak Djokovic shared the video from his tennis academy in Belgrade. He filmed it during a break from training. Some coaches were there watching. The background shows a room with light walls. The video camera was on a tripod. Fans said they wish they could dance like him. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!