Wrestlemania XXVIII : John Cena vs The Rock - Full Report

Finally, the world witnessed the most anticipated wrestling match in WWE history. A clash between two generations. A battle of the behemoths. Attitude Era vs PG Era. Team Bring It vs Team Cenation.

This epic encounter went right down to the wire. Sadly, only one warrior could claim victory in this ‘once in a lifetime’ match-up. Let’s see how the match progressed as the two superstars put in their heart and soul to make this battle an instant classic.

John Cena showed off his new ‘green’ gear as he walked towards ringside to a predictably mixed reaction from the crowd. The Rock, on the other hand, received a thunderous response from the audience as he made way to the arena. Truly, Miami was welcoming back their favourite son!

The scene was set for two of WWE’s biggest impact-makers. The bell rang as the two icons locked up with the Rock gaining momentum through a couple of arm drags and a headlock. The People’s Champ was definitely not looking rusty. Cena countered with a few arm drags of his own and the match soon escalated outside the ring. Cena punished the Rock as he dropped him over the fan barrier and proceeded to crack the Rock’s ribs over the announcers table.

Once Cena brought the Rock back into the ring, the two wrestlers produced an array of moves to counter each other. Cena started things off with a belly-to-belly suplex and a bear hug. The Rock replied with a series of rights and a crushing spinebuster to set up the ‘People’s Elbow’. However, Cena countered this and managed to hit his trademark the ‘Five Knuckle Shuffle’ and later, his finisher, the ‘Attitude Adjustment’. There was no stopping the Rock as he kicked out at 2 and countered with his own special, the ‘Rock Bottom’. Cena showed his credentials as he kicked out at 2. At this point, the WWE Universe surely smelled a Wrestlemania classic in the making!

The two beasts locked horns again as Cena got the advantage with a sideslam and a huge leg drop. The Rock again kicked out at 2 and even avoided the AA to put Cena under one of the most brutal submissive holds known to man – the ‘Sharpshooter’. Bret the ‘Hitman’ Hart might not be a fan of the Rock’s version of the sharpshooter, but one could clearly see John Cena in pain as he crawled towards the ropes to break the hold. The Rock repeated the move to inflict further pain on Cena but the leader of Cenation somehow managed to get to the ropes again.

The Rock decided to introduce Cena’s face to the steel steps as he gained control of the match. However, the ‘never give up’ attitude of the former champ was there for everyone to see as he countered to lock the Rock in the ‘STF’. Now it was the Rock’s turn to feel the pain as Cena proceeded to tighten the hold. The Rock wasn’t moving as the referee raised his arm twice. But on the third time, the Rock’s arm showed life as he started to fight back with a Samoan Drop as both men went down.

Both men upped their game as they traded a series of powerful blows and managed to break out of each other’s finishers. Soon the Rock gained the upperhand with a spinebuster to set Cena up for the People’s Elbow. This time the Brahma Bull connected but Cena, with an undying will, kicked out!

The two titans pushed, pulled and grappled with each other as the match headed towards its climax. It was desperation point as one big move from either wrestler could seal it. Cena, with the final bit of gas left in his tank, nailed the Rock with the AA. Cena was denied again as the Rock miraculously kicked out.

It was time to end this epic duel. Cena was planning to go for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but he decided against it. His ego came into the picture as he mocked the Rock and went for the Rock’s own move – the People’s Elbow. This turned out to be disastrous for Cena and the turning point of the match as the wily veteran caught Cena mid-way and hit the Rock Bottom for a memorable victory.

The battle-weary John Cena rolled out of the ring as the ‘Great One’ celebrated with the people of Miami.

Finally the Rock has come back to Wrestlemania, and boy did he deliver!