The Rock vs. John Cena...

[JGlass]

It doesn't have to stay hot for the whole year. Think about it like Christmas, you know it's coming the entire year, but there's no reason in getting excited about it on December 28th. All the WWE has to do is keep Cena interesting, and between Cena's natural ability and WWE focusing on him, I see no reason that they won't be able to succeed.

As for Cena hate... I have a feeling that after last night the fans will give him some love. He accepted The Rock's challenge, and love or hate Cena (Nick, you're a case in point) you KNOW this match is a big fucking deal. Additionally, he earned Rock's respect and even shook hands with the guy in one of the most epic WWE handshakes of all time.

WWE will put Cena in a few solid feuds from now until Rumble, but once the Road to Wrestlemania begins it will be all about Cena/Rock.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

As for Cena hate... I have a feeling that after last night the fans will give him some love. He accepted The Rock's challenge, and love or hate Cena (Nick, you're a case in point)

First of all, not that it's really important, but I don't hate John Cena. Hate is a very strong word.

you KNOW this match is a big fucking deal. Additionally, he earned Rock's respect and even shook hands with the guy in one of the most epic WWE handshakes of all time

Yes, it's a big deal, it's a huge deal, actually. No one is saying it isn't.

However, you shouldn't get your hopes up in regards to this turning into universal love for Cena. When he pins The Rock, and he will, I'm guessing he will hear louders boo's than ever before. John Cena's problem isn't the low level of competition he has had. His problem is some people just don't like him, no matter what.

 

[JGlass]

Rock didn't exactly get the best reaction when he beat Hogan at 18. I mean, John Cena will get booed harder than Rocky did when he beat Hogan, but I'd say the crowd was split about 50/50 after the Hogan match. However, after the mutual show of respect after the match was over, the crowd was 100% behind The Rock. John Cena will still have plenty of haters when this match is over, but I'm guessing anyone with even a slightly open mind will at least stop booing Cena.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Rock didn't exactly get the best reaction when he beat Hogan at 18.

It was Hulk Hogan. He was a bigger deal than either one of these guys. He was bound to be cheered, even as a heel. It was his first WrestleMania in 9 years.

I mean, John Cena will get booed harder than Rocky did when he beat Hogan, but I'd say the crowd was split about 50/50 after the Hogan match. However, after the mutual show of respect after the match was over, the crowd was 100% behind The Rock.

I don't mean to jump all over Cena here, but Rock was quite a bit more popular, among the fanbase as a whole, than Cena is right now. Rock didn't start hearing boo's until it was clear he was leaving wrestling.

John Cena will still have plenty of haters when this match is over, but I'm guessing anyone with even a slightly open mind will at least stop booing Cena.

They won't. I've never been a fan of John Cena, but booing was never something I felt I needed to take part in. He's busting his ass out there, whether I like what he's doing or not. And at this point in time, what good does booing do? It's not like it's changed Vince's mind. After all the boos, Cena is still the top guy. They would have a better shot at getting rid of Cena if they just stopped watching. (this was my own personal rant )

 

[The Rob]

On a different note, whats the usual schedule for stuff like tickets going on sale and shit for WrestleMania? Cause I am deadly serious about saving up and going. I have always said I'd like to go to a WrestleMania one day but this announcement has confirmed it for me. I HAVE TO BE THERE!

 

[JGlass]

It was Hulk Hogan. He was a bigger deal than either one of these guys. He was bound to be cheered, even as a heel. It was his first WrestleMania in 9 years.

I don't disagree, but the fact of the matter is in addition to Hogan being cheered, Rock got booed until the post-match showing of mutual respect.

I don't mean to jump all over Cena here, but Rock was quite a bit more popular, among the fanbase as a whole, than Cena is right now. Rock didn't start hearing boo's until it was clear he was leaving wrestling.

Different times man, but I don't disagree. As I said, Cena WILL be booed more at 28 than Rock was at 18. As I said, I'd guess it was 50/50 at 18, I'm guessing 80/20 at 28 unless the WWE does something really dramatic.

They won't. I've never been a fan of John Cena, but booing was never something I felt I needed to take part in. He's busting his ass out there, whether I like what he's doing or not. And at this point in time, what good does booing do? It's not like it's changed Vince's mind. After all the boos, Cena is still the top guy. They would have a better shot at getting rid of Cena if they just stopped watching. (this was my own personal rant )

We're never going to know until the match is over, and it might be wishful thinking on my part, but I honestly think that after Cena wrestles the match of his career against The Rock and they shake hands after the match is over, maybe Cena even clears the ring to allow The Rock to have the ring last (like Rock did for Hogan), I think 80% of Cena booers will come around.

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

You can't ever discount the possibility of heel Cena though as much as the idea is overstimulated.

Look at it this way, are the fans going to cheer The Rock over Cena? Yeah, we know the answer already from recent experience. Not only this, remember how the Hogan /Rock match went down in terms of crowd reaction, and going into that match Rock didn't have all the smarky BS Cena deals with.

People say Cena and Taker was the best route to turn him heel, but this is unprecedented and much better. Have either a WM17 dirty finish where Cena, although with sufficient ability to beat The Rock, cheats anyway just to cement himself as the bigger legend. Or you have the other more simple dirty finish where Cena cheats because he knows he can't beat Rocky.

The Rock now has an entire year to make sure he's in top physical condition for next year, he can make it look believable that he's better in the ring than Cena with all the work he could do between now and then.

And the angle is perfect, couldn't be better. "Your gone for seven years, you don't care about the fans, you spout some catchphrases and everybody loves you and welcomes you back with open arms. Me? I'm only here every single week as the cornerstone. And in return I get booed out of the buildings, I get all this hate." It would work. It just depends if they are willing to go that way.

 

[Uncle Sam]

They should have probably saved the handshake for after the match, too.

 

[a0161613]

I think the handshake last night was done to give Cena face/respect pops. I think he caught heel heat for FUing Rock before WM and WWE dont need Cena getting booed out of arenas for the next 8 months.

 

[GameOver]

No it's not. Who cares what's gonna happen a year from now.
What are they gonna do in the meantime is more important. Rock gonna go off and make movies again and not return til a few weeks b4?

Now if they'd had set it up say around SurvivorSeries that'd be different

Do they really think people are just gonna watch all year long to specifically see Rock vs Cena at WrestleMania next year?

I tend to like People's_Champs idea of a 3 match series. however that would lessen the greatness of WrestleMania being the 1 time affair.

Way too early. but on the other hand they have to follow up on what Rock did at Mania this year.

Also guess that means that Taker definately won't be facing Cena in his got to be final Mania.

 

[Miko]

Now if they'd had set it up say around SurvivorSeries that'd be different

Do they really think people are just gonna watch all year long to specifically see Rock vs Cena at WrestleMania next year?

Wouldnt be too surprised to see Team Bring It vs The Cenation at Survivor Series now that you mentioned it. Just to keep it in peoples minds.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

If Rock and Cena see any action prior to WrestleMania, I'm betting they team up. I doubt the WWE wants them fighting, at all, before the big event.

 

[Shocky]

This match will be an after thought in about 2 weeks. The WWE isn't going to cram this thing down our throats for 12 months. We know the match is happening, but there's a lot of shit that has to go on between now and January.

The Rock's handshake was pretty much "We're cool for now, let's go do our things for a year."