35 Years Of WWE WrestleMania Mistakes

7. WrestleMania XXIX - The Rock Vs. John Cena: Twice In A Lifetime

The Miz's appearance in the main event of WrestleMania XXVII was a joke of cosmic proportions, though it was made abundantly clear who the real star of the show was meant to be: The Rock.

'The People's Champion' had a starring role on the card as the 'host of WrestleMania', with the ultimate objective being to set up a match between himself and John Cena for the following year. WWE spent the next twelve months promoting the tie as a 'once in a lifetime' epic, on par with the previous legend vs. legend clash between The Rock and Hulk Hogan ten years earlier.

The Rock triumphed, and WrestleMania XXVIII was the highest grossing wrestling event in history. Such was the success that despite all the marketing bluster about the match being a one-shot deal, WWE promoted a rematch for WrestleMania XXIX.

Not only was this an affront to those who had bought the last show based on the phony advertising claims, but it was also a slap in the face to CM Punk, who had carried the company in the intervening year. It was an insult to a man who had earned his spot at the top of the WrestleMania card, and one which ultimately precipitated his decision to spectacularly walk out of the company a year later.

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.