The Rock shocked the wrestling world by excluding John Cena and Triple H from his list of favorite in-ring rivals in WWE, a surprising move that has sparked intense speculation. During an October 1, 2025, interview with Sports Illustrated, the Brahma Bull highlighted only Kurt Angle, Booker T, and Brock Lesnar as his top opponents, raising questions about the reasons behind this omission in the context of the ongoing John Cena WWE rivalry.
Revisiting The Rock’s Most Challenging WWE Opponents
In the interview, The Rock reflected on his most memorable WWE matches and revealed his admiration for three athletes who consistently pushed him to new heights. He praised Kurt Angle for his remarkable athleticism, Olympic gold medal pedigree, and resilience, particularly noting Angle’s triumph despite a broken neck. The Rock called him “an insane athlete” who brought unpredictability every time they faced off.
“I loved wrestling guys who are just insane athletes who had a pedigree at other things. And that was always Kurt Angle, insane athlete, as you know, pedigree in wrestling, gold medal at the Olympics, wins the gold medal with a broken neck. It’s just wild.”
—The Rock
The Rock also expressed his respect for Brock Lesnar’s athletic ability and versatility in the ring, emphasizing Lesnar’s capacity to take their matches anywhere and keep the excitement alive. Booker T received similar praise for his exceptional athleticism and the explosive energy he brought to their encounters.
“Brock Lesnar was the same. Just incredible pedigree, athlete, you could go anywhere in the ring with him. You know who else was an amazing athlete, was Booker T, who I loved wrestling. Amazing athlete.”
—The Rock
Fans quickly noticed the absence of John Cena and Triple H on this list, especially since both WWE legends had famously intense rivalries with The Rock in their era. Many took to social media to express surprise, with one fan tweeting “interesting omission,” highlighting how Cena and Triple H had consistently pushed The Rock to his limits and delivered some of WWE’s most memorable moments.
Possible Creative Differences Influence The Rock’s Exclusion of Cena and Triple H
The Rock’s success in Hollywood has not erased his complex history with WWE’s creative decisions, which may explain his reluctance to name John Cena and Triple H among his favorites. His rivalry with John Cena was not only pivotal on-screen but also fueled by real-life tension, including personal jabs from Cena questioning The Rock’s WWE passion. This beef ignited a feud that transcended wrestling storylines, culminating in headline matches at WrestleMania 28 and 29 where both men secured wins, amplifying the rivalry’s intensity.
However, the relationship turned rocky again when Cena’s heel turn in early 2025 coincided with The Rock’s absence from live WWE shows after the Elimination Chamber event, where Cena had recently reclaimed the championship. The Rock’s withdrawal stalled Cena’s heel momentum and forced him back into a babyface role, compounding their off-screen tensions as Cena publicly criticized The Rock and collaborator Travis Scott for abandoning him during this crucial time. Despite this, The Rock has not responded to these remarks, which could explain his decision to leave Cena off his list.
Similarly, The Rock’s complicated rapport with Triple H—now WWE’s Chief Content Officer (CCO)—has been influenced by creative clashes. Prior to WrestleMania XL, Triple H returned unexpectedly to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship and began influencing decisions that conflicted with other WWE plans, such as nearly removing Cody Rhodes from title contention. This triggered significant backlash from fans, who accused The Rock of exploiting his status for personal gain, forcing last-minute changes to the WrestleMania card.
When Paul Levesque (Triple H) was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025, he notably omitted any mention of The Rock in his speech, signaling lingering discord. The tension intensified after WrestleMania 41, when The Rock defended his absence and praised the match’s finish involving Travis Scott, comments that ignited debate and further criticism.
“Hi Dave, the business is a complete work. Always has been, always will be. Every aspect of it, every match. Every interview. Please join me, Cody, Cena, Brian and the rest of us for our creative discussions so you can expand your perspective. Until then, stop ranting, it’s not healthy my friend.”
—Triple H
Triple H’s response, directed at podcast host Dave LaGreca, who accused The Rock of undermining Levesque, reflects ongoing creative disagreements that likely influenced The Rock’s omission of these two superstars from his list of key rivals.
John Cena Open to a Final Clash with The Rock During His Retirement Run
As John Cena approaches the twilight of his wrestling career with a limited schedule, WWE fans have expressed hope for one last encounter between Cena and The Rock. This potential final match would serve as a fitting capstone to Cena’s storied career, which has been marked by memorable feuds with many top superstars.
At Fan EXPO Denver, Cena shared his openness to facing The Rock again. He described the prospect as “cool” and reflected on his career longevity, driven by consistently showing up and giving his best without setting expectations.
“Man, it would be cool if John Cena could fight The Rock one more time. That, to me, that would be cool. I’ve survived and kept a level head over 25 years in the WWE by not setting expectations, by showing up every single day, doing what I’m told and asked to do it to the best of my ability.”
—John Cena
While Cena’s retirement tour is shaping up to feature opponents of his choosing, fans hoping for a matchup with Triple H should temper expectations. Triple H’s current medical condition prevents him from returning to active competition, making such a bout unlikely.
What The Rock’s Rivalry Exclusions Mean for WWE’s Future
The Rock’s decision to exclude John Cena and Triple H from his top rivals list underlines the ongoing tensions and creative conflicts within WWE’s locker room and leadership. It highlights how personal dynamics, backstage decisions, and career trajectories still heavily influence the narrative and relationships in professional wrestling.
For WWE fans, these revelations emphasize the fragility behind the scenes of wrestling’s grand spectacle, reminding viewers that rivalries are as complex off-screen as they are inside the squared circle. As John Cena moves toward retirement and The Rock balances his Hollywood career, the unresolved tensions add a layer of unpredictability to the future direction of WWE storylines and superstars’ legacies.
With so much drama emerging within WWE’s top tiers, many are left wondering if The Rock’s exclusions were deliberate and what impact this might have on upcoming events and potential matches. As the saga continues to unfold, fans eagerly await new developments, hoping for a resolution that honors the careers of all these iconic wrestlers.
The Rock names some of the WWE stars he loved wrestling the most:
– Kurt Angle
– Brock Lesnar
– Booker T(Sports Illustrated) pic.twitter.com/EbgvX8SrXx
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) October 1, 2025
