Dwayne The Rock Johnson, one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling history, had left the business to pursue a career in Hollywood in the early twenty-first century, and had what was considered at the time his final match in WWE at Wrestlemania XX in April 2004. Hed pop back for a cheap pop every so often, when his schedule permitted, but only for promos and to deliver the odd Peoples Elbow here and there. In February 2011, however, it was revealed that The Rock would be returning to guest host Wrestlemania XXVII. At the time, Johnsons film career was going well - he had a reputation as a man who could save a flagging franchise - but not to the degree that it has since. Fast Five was released weeks after Wrestlemania XXVII, and became the highest grossing film in the series and Johnsons biggest hit to date. Wrestlemania saw The Rock overshadow the main event WWE Championship match and take out John Cena, leading to the historic agreement the next night on RAW to meet at the main event of Wrestlemania XXVIII, a Once In A Lifetime match for bragging rights. The Rock won the match that year: the following year, hed face Cena in the main event once more (this time for the WWE Championship) and drop the title to Cena in return for the previous years rub. Thanks in large part to The Rock, Wrestlemania XXVIII became the highest grossing live event in WWF/E history and the most purchased pay-per-view event in wrestling history.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
