Heading into WrestleMania XXVIII, the wrestling world was buzzing about the supposed "Once In A Lifetime" battle between John Cena and The Rock that would headline the Showcase of the Immortals. Splitting fans and creating teams of supporters in the same way that Twilight forced its audience to choose between Team Jacob and Team Edward, WWE reaped the rewards of such a polarizing rivalry. As hyped and excited as fans were, there was still this overwhelming feeling that one of the greatest stars ever produced by Vince McMahon and his company was returning solely to put Cena over. As they found out, that would be the case. Just not on that April night in Miami. The People's Champion stepped inside the squared circle for a match for the first time in eight years and went toe-to-toe with Cena in a match that was every bit as epic as promoted. Was Rock a bit more winded than one may have guessed he would be. Of course. But he still managed to cram a great deal of work into a half-hour window, leading to a hot finish that saw Cena mock Rock's patented People's Elbow finish, only to run right into a Rock Bottom and have his shoulders pinned to the mat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpoBaxA0ouc Fans in the victor's hometown erupted for the decision and millions watching at home celebrated the fact that SuperCena had not prevailed, that WWE Creative has resisted the urge to put him over the Most Electrifying Man in Spots-Entertainment and, in the process, created a genuine WrestleMania moment for a man who, surprisingly, had very few of them in which he had his arm raised by the end of the night.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
