Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson faced a serious physical setback while defending his WWE Championship against John Cena at WrestleMania 29. Despite tearing multiple tendons connected to his pelvis early in the match, The Rock chose to continue, determined to complete the bout and allow the storyline to reach its planned conclusion.
The Rock and John Cena’s rivalry was one of the defining chapters of WWE in the early 2010s, highlighted by their first major encounter at Survivor Series 2011. The Great One returned to the ring after a seven-year hiatus, teaming with Cena to defeat The Miz and R-Truth, only to end the night by delivering a Rock Bottom to Cena, setting the tone for future clashes. Their heated rivalry culminated in a memorable match at WrestleMania XXVIII, labeled “Once in a Lifetime,” followed by a headline rematch the very next year.
The Rock’s Reasoning Behind Finishing the Match Despite Injury
During a recent conversation on NPR’s Fresh Air to promote his movie The Smashing Machine, The Rock revealed the depth of his injury sustained at WrestleMania 29. He explained that he tore his abdominal, adductor, and quadriceps tendons off his pelvis but deliberately kept this from John Cena and the referee.
“In this WrestleMania match, if he would have asked me, ‘Hey, are you okay?’ And I say, ‘No, there is something wrong,’ and he says, ‘Okay, let’s go home,’ we would know where to pick up,”
The Rock said.
“It’s almost like you go right to the third act of the script, and we would go home. That would be the end of the match. I didn’t want to tell John that because I knew the match would end, and I didn’t want the match to end in that way.”
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, WWE Superstar
He emphasized the importance of finishing the match on his own terms, explaining that this was not just another bout—it was the final match of his career, something only he realized at the time.
Passing the Torch to John Cena Was Central to The Rock’s Decision
More crucially, The Rock discussed the symbolic importance of the match’s conclusion. He wanted to “do the honors” by allowing John Cena to win decisively in the ring, passing the championship torch to his longtime rival and friend. This moment was meant to signify Cena’s rise as the new face of WWE.
“That means you’re passing the torch to someone who is going to carry it from here on out. That was to John, and that was the finish to our match; me doing the honors for him and him beating me in the middle of the ring to become champion. That’s why I didn’t want the match to end right away. I wanted him to have his moment. That’s important.”
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, WWE Superstar
By persevering through immense pain, The Rock ensured the match’s scripted narrative and emotional impact remained intact, cementing Cena’s place at the top.
The Impact of The Rock’s Injured Finish and What It Means Moving Forward
The Rock’s decision to continue wrestling despite his severe injuries illustrates both his dedication and the physical risks wrestlers endure to maintain the show’s drama and flow. His willingness to protect the story’s intended outcome, even at great personal cost, highlights the level of commitment behind the scenes.
This revelation brings new perspective for fans reflecting on WrestleMania 29, showing how much was silently endured to deliver an unforgettable event. It also adds gravity to the legacy of both performers—The Rock closing his in-ring career on his terms, and John Cena ascending as the new WWE Champion.
With The Rock’s openness about his injury and motivations, the wrestling community can better appreciate the sacrifices involved in such high-profile matches, while fans are encouraged to consider the balance between entertainment and athlete safety in WWE’s future events.
