The Rock Fires Back At Talk Of Heat With Major WWE Star
The Rock has no time for internet speculation.
As 2013 began, CM Punk was flying high as WWE Champion but what followed is still being debated to this day. At the Royal Rumble, Punk lost the World Championship to The Rock ending his 434-day run with the gold.
On the same show, John Cena won the Royal Rumble and in the weeks that followed announced he’d face The Rock at WrestleMania 29. The bout served as a rematch from the year before which had been dubbed “Once in a Lifetime.”
At the time, Punk was incredibly popular with fans and many felt he’d been shifted out of the WrestleMania main event spot he deserved to make way for The Rock. To add to the messy situation, Punk had never hidden his dislike of part-time stars, of which Rock had become the poster child.
For years, it was believed by some there was genuine dislike between the two men, only exacerbated by Rock’s actions at Bad Blood 2024. The Hollywood star made a very brief cameo at the end of the show, and fans online claimed this meant the Hell In A Cell match between Punk and Drew McIntyre was shifted from the main event.
The Rock And CM Punk Are “Solid”
Fast forward to the March 28, 2025 edition of SmackDown, and it was officially confirmed that CM Punk will main event WrestleMania for the first time. During a contract signing, it was announced that Punk’s match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins would take the headline spot on night one.
Despite several teases, The Rock won’t be wrestling at the event and his potential involvement is unknown. This sparked chatter online that Punk was only in the main event because Rock wasn’t there.
In a video posted by allenownz on Instagram, it was claimed Rock hated Punk and wouldn’t have allowed him to top the card if he was wrestling. In response, The Great One fired back, writing that he and Punk have become friends, adding the decision is simply best for business.
“First of all, Punk and I have become good buddies over the years. We’re solid. Secondly, whatever match making is best for true long term (not short term) business success – that will be our Mania main event. Lastly, you’re clown.”
Night two of WrestleMania 41 will be headlined by John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.