John Cena, the Undisputed WWE Champion, recently disclosed that he offered an apology to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson following their significant confrontation at WrestleMania 28. Cena also extended his apologies to The Rock’s mother, highlighting the personal side behind their professional rivalry. The revelation centers on Cena’s acknowledgment of mistakes he made during their heated feud.
Both John Cena and The Rock are iconic figures in WWE history, known for their remarkable careers inside the ring. Despite the mutual respect they hold, their relationship was strained leading up to WrestleMania 28. Cena took several personal jabs at The Rock, surprising fans and intensifying the storyline for their clash. Reflecting on this period, Cena admitted that while the insults helped build the narrative, some lines were crossed.
“Dwayne had always been cordial to me and always helped me out, and I did something foolish and started to go into business for myself and drum up rumors about things I knew nothing about, which were great for this [their feud], but it’s very much a professional faux pas (…) A few days before this [their match,] we began to put this puzzle together, and I think that’s when Dwayne finally realized that I’m not in it to take anyone’s spot. I’m just trying to do good business,” he said.
—John Cena, WWE Superstar
After their matchup, Cena took the initiative to express regret personally. He approached The Rock’s mother to apologize first and then entered The Rock’s locker room to make amends face to face. Cena described The Rock’s response as empathetic and gracious, which signaled potential for a stronger alliance between the two superstars.
“I went about it the wrong way (…) [After apologizing to The Rock’s mother, I] went right into Dwayne’s locker room and apologized to him. And that was the first moment of me being like, ‘Man, this was great. If we had worked together, I don’t know how great it could’ve been. Like it could’ve been so much better.’ He was empathetic. He was gracious. I think he was riding high off of [sic] the moment because everybody loved it,” he added. [2:40 – 5:14]
—John Cena, WWE Superstar
John Cena Recognizes The Rock Among WWE’s Greatest Trash Talkers
In a separate interview on Complex alongside his Heads of State co-star Idris Elba, John Cena was asked to identify the best trash talkers in WWE history. Cena mentioned several legendary performers, including The Rock, highlighting the impact their words had in building their larger-than-life personas.
“That’s a tough one. Some pioneers. Again, Roddy Piper comes in[to] play. You can’t ignore Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, or Stone Cold Steve Austin, [or] CM Punk,” Cena said.
—John Cena, WWE Superstar
This recognition underscores how The Rock’s charisma and mic skills weighed heavily in shaping his wrestling legacy, as well as influencing peers and fans alike.
Looking Ahead: John Cena’s Upcoming Championship Match at WWE SummerSlam 2025
John Cena is scheduled to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE SummerSlam 2025. This highly anticipated encounter promises to be a defining moment, as both competitors vie for supremacy and influence in the wrestling world. Wrestling enthusiasts will be eager to see who emerges victorious in this next chapter of Cena’s career.
The public apology to The Rock and the reflection on their rivalry indicate Cena’s growth as both a performer and a professional. It also hints at the possibility of future collaborations or partnerships built on mutual respect and understanding.
