Latest news with #WrestleMania29PressConference
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
John Cena Addresses Potential Third Match With The Rock
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As his 2025 farewell tour continues, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has addressed the possibility of a third and final match against his greatest rival, The Rock. While Cena is currently on a collision course with Cody Rhodes for SummerSlam, he commented on the idea of stepping in the ring with "The Great One" one more time. Speaking at a recent FAN EXPO Denver panel, Cena was asked about the potential dream match. He confirmed it is an idea he would be open to exploring. One Final Match? While Cena said a third match against The Rock "would be cool," he explained his long-standing philosophy on choosing opponents. He stated that he has survived for 25 years in WWE by not setting expectations and instead focusing on the creative process of the story he is given. "I don't like to choose opponents because a lot of time that doesn't work out," Cena said. "What I like to do is get a plan and say 'As the artist, can I be creative with the plan?' I've earned enough trust that they'll let me do some stupid stuff, I appreciate it." Cena concluded by calling on the fans to make their voices heard. He said that the audience has the power to "dictate the direction" of his final matches. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. A Historic Rivalry A third match between John Cena and The Rock would be the tie-breaker in one of the most successful rivalries in wrestling history. Their first match at WrestleMania 28 was billed as "Once in a Lifetime" after a full year of build-up, with The Rock emerging victorious in his hometown of Miami. The following year, at WrestleMania 29, Cena defeated The Rock to capture the WWE Championship. Their feud was defined by intensely personal promos that blurred the lines between reality and entertainment. A third match would also have a completely new dynamic, as Cena is now performing as a heel for the first time in his career after "selling his soul" to The Rock at Elimination Chamber earlier this year. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Taking Accountability During the panel, Cena also showed a moment of self-awareness regarding his own creative past. He explained that by focusing on the creative process, he can be held accountable for his failures, specifically referencing a famous and controversial storyline. "You guys say I buried the Nexus, I've got to shoulder that cross forever," Cena admitted, referring to the infamous SummerSlam 2010 main event. For years, fans and critics have argued that Cena's insistence on winning that match killed the momentum of the hottest angle in the company. His acknowledgment of that criticism shows his growth as a performer and his respect for the fans' perspective. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
John Cena Reveals Secret About His WWE Match With The Rock
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. John Cena has revealed the hardest part of his legendary "Once in a Lifetime" match against The Rock at WrestleMania 28. In a new interview, the 17-time world champion explained that the most difficult aspect of the match happened long before he ever stepped into the ring. Speaking to Vanity Fair while breaking down his career, Cena reflected on the year-long build to the iconic bout. He revealed that he knew the outcome of the match a full year in advance. Knowing The Outcome Cena explained that the most challenging part of the entire process was delivering months of passionate and intense promos, all while knowing he was going to lose. He stated that performing in the match itself was the easy part. "You would think that, man, going to the actual stage would be the worst part, that was the easy part," Cena said. "I knew I was losing the year before the fight. All of those promos you see, all of those speeches, every single one of them, I knew that I was gonna finish in second place." The Unprecedented Year-Long Build The feud between John Cena and The Rock was built in a way that had never been done before. On the Raw after WrestleMania 27 in 2011, after The Rock had cost Cena his WWE Championship match against The Miz, the two megastars agreed to face each other in the main event of WrestleMania 28—a full year later. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. This unprecedented announcement created a unique, slow-burn storyline that simmered for twelve months. It was a generational clash between the biggest star of the Attitude Era and the biggest star of the "PG Era," and the long build created massive anticipation for the event in The Rock's hometown of Miami. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Blurring The Lines The feud was defined by its promos, which often blurred the lines between entertainment and reality, making the rivalry feel deeply personal. Cena repeatedly called out The Rock for leaving WWE for a Hollywood career, questioning his passion for the business and famously pointing out that The Rock had promo notes written on his wrist. In return, The Rock mocked Cena's colorful merchandise and younger fanbase, labeling him a "Fruity Pebble" and questioning his toughness. For Cena to deliver these heated and often personal promos with the knowledge that he was slated to lose the eventual match is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to storytelling. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
John Cena Doubles Down On Controversial Vince McMahon Comments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has addressed the significant fan criticism he has faced for his public expressions of continued love and support for former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. This comes in light of serious allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking leveled against McMahon. Cena's latest remarks on the matter were made during an interview with US Weekly at the recent Amazon upfront presentations. He was asked if he was surprised by the negative online reaction to his previous statements about his former boss. "No, because everyone's entitled to their opinion," Cena responded directly. "Just like I am entitled to have an emotional connection to somebody." He further elaborated on his acceptance of differing viewpoints. "I don't hold anybody to how they feel or what they view as permissible or things that make them happy, angry, excited, sad. That's their right as a human being, I'm not surprised by any of that." The controversy stems from the serious allegations detailed in a lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant in January 2024. The lawsuit accuses McMahon of severe misconduct, including sexual assault and sex trafficking. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock, Vince McMahon, and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. These allegations led to Vince McMahon's resignation from his executive positions at WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, earlier this year. They have cast a profound shadow over his long and influential career in professional wrestling. Cena first publicly addressed his stance on the Howard Stern Show in February 2024, shortly after the lawsuit was filed. While acknowledging the seriousness and describing the allegations as a "hill [McMahon] has to climb," Cena maintained he would still "love the person I love" and consider McMahon a friend. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation He reiterated and amplified this position in a widely discussed April 2025 interview with the New York Times, ahead of WrestleMania 41. It was here he made his most direct statement regarding his feelings. "I don't care who hears it: I love Vince," Cena told the New York Times. "I'm not downplaying anything that needs to be decided or allegations of any kind..." Cena explained his perspective on loyalty in that same interview. "...but when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly. I know people are going to be angry about that, but they can't put their value on my relationship with somebody I love." More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
