Last year, on the first Monday Night Raw after WrestleMana XXVII, The Rock and John Cena agreed to face each other in a match at this year's show. With that they commenced 365 days of trash talk and insults that continually escalated until it became clear these two men could not stand each other. Leading up to their match this year at WrestleMania XXVIII, they both pulled out all the stops to try to gain a competitive and mental edge.
There has been very few matches like this in WrestleMania history, if any. Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI was one of the biggest ever since it was champion versus champion, but this was different. The only comparable match was Hogan versus the Rock, but at that point Hogan was so far past his prime the match itself wasn't nearly as good as what it symbolized: two of the biggest superstars of all-time facing each other.
This time, however, it was much different. John Cena is the biggest star of his generation of wrestlers while the Rock is one of the biggest of his. He is by far the most successful as he has become a bonafide movie star in Hollywood. The idea to put them in a match against each other was one of sheer brilliance. Add the drama based in reality of their mutual disdain for each other, their out-of-the-ring antagonism on Twitter, and you have all the ingredients for an epic match.
Of course these two men didn't disappoint. Nobody expected them to. It started as Cena made his way to the ring, the crowd split between cheering him and jeering him. Then, after a forgettable Flo Rida performance, the Rock's music hit. 78,000 strong jumped to their feet and screamed at the top of their lungs. To understand why this man still receives the reception he does is simple. He has given so much to the fans during his career. He has entertained them as a good guy and enraged them as a bad guy. Though Cena wants to fault him for leaving the WWE for Hollywood, fans don't see it that way. WWE fans like to think of the Rock as the son that became successful outside the ring.
Finally, after a year of insults and constantly trying to outdo each other, the time for talking was over. The bell rang, and the match was ready. Two of the biggest superstars in the history of the WWE danced around each other for a few moments before starting the match. It quickly turned into a fight, with each man trying to gain the upper hand. In an epic finish which saw both men hitting their finishers several times at an almost schizophrenic pace. Finally, at the end, the Rock stood victorious while the crowd went nuts.
For me, a lifelong wrestling fan, the match was great. That being said, the match was not what resonated with me after the show was over. When the pay-per-view screen went dark, there was something I learned about myself I didn't know. I actually respect John Cena. Don't get me wrong, I can't stand the wrestler/character John Cena. I think he's a tremendous tool. What I do respect, however, is his work ethic and his desire to entertain. I don't doubt it for a second when he says the business is his life and he is willing to do whatever is best for the WWE.
Most importantly, I respect his desire to do what is best for the company, not just what is best for John Cena. There has not been a superstar in recent memory as polarizing as Cena. Each week he hears just as many people jeering him as those cheering. For a supposed "good guy" he puts up with a lot of hatred from the fans. It would have been easy for him to complain about losing to the Rock, and perhaps he did so behind the scenes. I don't think he did, though, because he's not that guy.
Moving forward, I will continue to be annoyed by Cena and how much time he takes up as the premier babyface in the WWE. The respect for him, however, will continue to be there as well.
Allen Orien Avery is a lifelong sports fan as well as a passionate supporter of the New York Mets. He is also a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.
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