Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (left) and John Cena (right).Photo:WWE/ Twitter
WWE/ Twitter
It would appear that former WWE foes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson andJohn Cenaare real-life friends after all!
The backstage clip begins with ESPN sports analystPat McAfeefinishing up a chat with Johnson, 51.
When the two are done shaking hands, McAfee points out of the camera frame behind Johnson, telling him, “Hey, there’s a guy, he can’t see you,” referring to the 46-year-oldCena’s famous wrestling catchphrase, “You can’t see me.”
The camera then pans over to reveal Cena standing silently behind Johnson, staring straight ahead with his hands behind his back. As the crowd erupts, an unsmiling Johnson greets his former foe.
Straight faced and showing no emotion, the two men square off, but they’re unable to hold their stoic posture before both breaking into grins.
“I see you trying to smile!” Johnson said as he pointed at Cena, who nodded his head in agreement. ThePeacemakerstar then held his hand out for Johnson to shake, telling him, “Welcome home.” The two hugged it out and the audience cheered loudly.
John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had a long wrestling rivalry that saw them battle it out on several occasions.Mel Evans/AP/Shutterstock
Fans responded positively online, with many happy to see the longtime opponents having mellowed out.
“This was cool to see, Strikes did us fans wonders low-key,” wrote one wrestling fan, likely referring to Hollywood’s ongoingSAG-AFTRA and WGA strikesthat began over the summer.
The two fighters maintained a professional rivalry that delighted WWE fans over the years,with season 2 of the A&E seriesWWE Rivalsexploring the notorious competition between the two wrestling icons.
Cena publicly criticized Johnson on and off-screen, which led to dream matches in 2012 and 2013. In 2011, Cena began rattling off to fans how Johnson hadn’t been in a ring in eight years and “questioning whether or not The Rock even cares about the business,” an expert said inWWE Rivals.
The show featured an old clip of Johnson saying, “This is what happens when idiots have confidence” when discussing Cena “popping off at the mouth” before their Wrestlemania match.
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Despite the war of words over the years and the legendary matches, Cena has had nothing but nice things to say about theBlack Adamstar lately.
Cena, who returned to the ring in 2021 after a break, toldEntertainment Tonighthehoped Johnson would return to wrestling.
“He’s earned the right not to be pressured into that choice. I can say he is a fan of the WWE. He is the most electrifying man in sports entertainment,” theBarbiestar said in 2021, acknowledgingJohnson’s career. “So as a fan, do I want to see one of the greatest performers of all time step back in the WWE ring? Yeah. But in no way am I gonna call him and if I’m gonna talk to him about something, it’s not gonna try to be to get him back in the WWE ring.”
source: people.com
