10 Times WWE Couldn't Repeat Success

4. The Rock Vs. Cena

Sin Cara Rey Mysterio
WWE

'Twice in a Lifetime' is probably the most literal example of WWE trying to directly replicate success, a year on from their highest grossing pay-per-view of all time.

Fundamentally, it missed the point of why WrestleMania XXVIII had drawn such a huge volume of paying customers - even though it was baked into the sales pitch. The 'Once in a Lifetime' clash between The Rock and John Cena promised precisely that, and punters gladly ponied up to avoid missing out. Would they have been quite so eager to buy the show had WWE not made abundantly clear that this was, absolutely definitely, the only time these two icons of the industry would meet, having built the contest up since the previous April?

It's impossible to say, but what is certain is that interest in the rematch was notably cooler. Although 'Mania 29 set a live gate record - helped by 80,000 fans who would have flocked to the wrestling institution regardless - it trailed 2013's buys by nearly quarter of a million. Less a case of 'U Can't C Me', and more 'U Already Saw Me'.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.