Why John Cena Regrets Working With The Rock
"It was stupid of me, it genuinely was..."
In the year 2012 wrestling fans all over the globe were treated to a 'Once in a Lifetime' feud, as the biggest movie star in world, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, clashed with the most successful performer of the modern age, John Cena. The following year, that became 'Twice in a Lifetime'.
It seems, however, that hindsight is a cruel, if informative mistress, and in the cold light of day, half a decade on, Cena admitted that the crux of that rivalry no longer sits well with him.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Big Match John stated that his main sticking point with The Great One, the fact that Johnson's WWE appearances dwindled as his acting career took off, was a case of having his "blinders" on.
Speaking as another WWE superstar currently on the rise in Hollywood, Cena now regrets going at The Rock as a "sell-out" as he sought to pursue his Hollywood dream:
"It was stupid of me, it genuinely was. That was my perspective at the time. When you’re involved in the daily grind of WWE, and that’s something I never will let go of — I promise you that. I just love it, and I don’t think I need to say that, ever again, or have somebody question my allegiance to a brand, not the sport of professional wrestling, so to say, but a brand. I love the WWE. For me to not be able to see Dwayne’s vision on what he wanted to do personally, and how his personal success could affect a growing global brand, that was just ignorant on my part."
As his own film career appears to be finally taking off with increasing success, coinciding with his own decline in WWE participation, it's not surprising to see the 16 time world champion soften his view on Johnson's juggling act. Let's just hope the next star to take umbrage with this kind of career transition has a little more foresight.
For Cena, The Rock's continued association with WWE - albeit on a cameo basis - is a great model. Could we be seeing the model he wants to adopt himself?
“I like the fact that I talked enough trash that he eventually came back, and he hasn’t really left. He periodically shows up, and the fans love him now, and they always have—it’s just that he’s around a little bit more. At the same time, I’ve apologized to him in person, I’ve apologized to him publicly. I was completely wrong in the approach that I took. It was one-sided and selfish, and I’m glad the way it worked out, but I apologize for not being able to see his side of the fence.”
Water under the bridge then...