We all know The Rock is slated to face John Cena this Sunday at WrestleMania 28. However, The Rock is also committed to appear at next year’s WrestleMania as well, and in an interview with AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston, Rocky was asked about possibly facing ex-Undisputed WWE Champion / retired UFC Champion Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 29 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The article states:
Johnson has committed to appearing at next year’s WrestleMania at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. In what role, he hasn’t said.
It’s clear if the WWE wants to squeeze another potential blockbuster buy rate out of the Rock, the last man standing to get the headline match would be the return of former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
How about it: Brock vs. Rock at WrestleMania 29?
“I’m not saying a thing,” said a laughing, grinning Rock, eyebrow raised. “I didn’t say anything.”
The Rock silenced. That’s a first.
In addition to that tidbit, the article covers Rock’s movie career, why he came back to WWE and why John Cena had to be his opponent:
The Rock, who rose to stardom in the wrestling business, says there’s nowhere else he’d rather drop The People’s Elbow than in the ring. The Rock returns to the WWE for his first WrestleMania match since 2004 when he headlines the April 1 card against former champion John Cena at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
For a company once home to Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, this bout is as close as it gets to a dream match. Catchphrase-chanting, die-hard pro wrestling lovers are revved up about the return of The Great One. Casual fans, too.
“I came back to put on the biggest match of all time,” Johnson said. “That’s all I want to do. There’s no one I can do that with right now other than John. He’s far and above everyone else in terms of popularity. He’s the guy. Is he Stone Cold? No. Is he Hogan? No. But he is John Cena and he’s been on top for a long time now.”
Johnson reigned in that top spot at the end of the 1990s and the early part of the last decade before embarking on an impressive run in Hollywood. His current film, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” grossed $95 million in its first six weeks domestically and reached $300 million worldwide. His previous movie, “Fast Five,” made more than $210 million in domestic grosses, proving that Johnson knows how to rock the box office.
All that big-ticket drawing power is why the WWE believes he can attract more than a million pay-per-view buys (at $54.95 a pop) in his return singles match.
“They know that I’m back, not for money, not because I like being on the road, but because I love the business,” Johnson said. “The energy level is different this time around, the connection is more emotional this time around.”
For the full article, which also covers the year-long Rock-Cena in further detail, click here.
