6. John Cena vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 29, April 7th)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cetoD3Yd3g0 It matters not how you feel about John Cena. The fact that he defeated The Rock for the WWE Championship enhances his legacy. Winning still matters. Cena's loss at WrestleMania XXVIII was a bit of a shocker to many a fan who assumed that Rock had come back for the sole purpose of giving Cena a moment at WrestleMania similar to the one that Hulk Hogan gave to Rock ten years prior. The "shot at redemption" storyline in 2013 did not resonate with the most vocal portion of the fanbase, as clearly evidenced by the quieter crowd at Met Life Stadium, but it still helped draw the bulk of the one million pay-per-viewers. The tensions between Rock and Cena were the primary draws for three consecutive WrestleManias that drew over one million PPV buys a current record. Based on WrestleMania alone, it could be argued that their rivalry was the most financially profitable in the history of the business. That is a big statement and an overwhelming achievement. The match may well end up being remembered for Cena noticeably calling spots, but that criticism carries only so much merit when weighed against the historic nature of the match. If you are to do 2013 justice, you owe it to yourself or for whomever you're compiling a "Can't Miss" list to include Rock vs. Cena 2. Besides, every wrestling fan with anything greater than a passing knowledge of sports entertainment is well aware that wrestlers call their spots in the ring. It would be nice if we did not see them do it to further suspend our disbelief, but if we know that it is happening, is it that big of a deal (especially given the circumstance of a ring general like Cena yes, that sentence was just written attempting to carry a man with just three matches in nine years)?
Chad Matthews
Contributor
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
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