John Cena, the former WWE superstar turned Hollywood actor, revealed his longstanding admiration for his wrestling rival, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. During a WWE press conference for WWE Fastlane, Cena was prompted to revisit his past feud with Johnson, during which he openly criticized him both within and outside the ring.
Back in 2011, Cena, now 46, made headlines by publicly chastising Johnson, then 51, for making the transition from wrestling to acting. He questioned Johnson’s commitment to the wrestling business, igniting a heated rivalry that played out in both real life and scripted wrestling storylines. However, what makes this revelation particularly interesting is that Cena’s own career later followed a remarkably similar trajectory, prompting many to question the sincerity of his previous criticisms.
During the press conference, Cena offered a refreshingly candid perspective on his earlier feud with Johnson. He admitted that his initial critiques were fueled by a mix of frustration and disappointment over Johnson’s decision to depart from WWE in pursuit of a career in Hollywood. Cena acknowledged that he now understands why some people might view him as a hypocrite for pursuing a similar path.
Cena openly confessed, “I went about it the wrong way. I violated his trust and I made allegations about his perspective that I knew nothing about. And deep down, I was a fan. I wanted The Rock back [in WWE]. I wanted to do anything to get The Rock back, but I did it the wrong way.”
He went on to explain that he took the initiative to personally and publicly apologize to Dwayne Johnson, recognizing that his earlier actions were not conducted in a respectful manner. Cena expressed his remorse, stating, “So I had to eat a little bit of crow. I had to say ‘I’m sorry and I was wrong,’ because I am sorry and I was wrong, and that’s a very humbling experience. Dwayne is a hell of a guy. I became who I despised. I see that perspective and I understand it. It was a great learning experience from my mistake with feuding with The Rock.”
Cena shared that he and Johnson engaged in meaningful conversations that ultimately led to Johnson’s return to wrestling, bringing their feud full circle. Cena emphasized that their reconciliation served as a valuable lesson and described it as a “true full circle moment.”
He concluded by reminding everyone that each individual faces their unique challenges and struggles in life. Cena hoped that fans could appreciate the complexities of personal growth and transformation, especially within the world of professional wrestling.
John Cena’s return to WWE coincided with a hiatus in his acting career due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Nevertheless, he expressed his intention to return to Hollywood once the strike is resolved, underscoring his commitment to not jeopardize the livelihoods of those within the movie industry during these uncertain times.
Cena’s candid remarks reveal a thoughtful and introspective side of the wrestling superstar, showing that even in the world of scripted rivalries and larger-than-life personas, personal growth and self-awareness can play a significant role.
