WWE Survivor Series 2011 - John Cena & The Rock vs. Awesome Truth

[D-Man]

This match was basically made official last night on Raw.

For months, we all knew that the Rock would return to action at the Survivor Series, considering many of his tweets and Facebook updates. We also knew he'd be teaming with John Cena in some capacity. Now we know the match circumstances, stipulations, and opponents in Truth and the Miz.

Awesome Truth has been on a hell of a tear, lately, and have really gotten my attention. As far as I'm concerned, they were the perfect tandem for the Rock and Cena to go up against. Personally, I'm attending the PPV so I'm beyond excited to see the Rock back in the ring again. I'm sure the hype for this match will only build up more and more as the weeks unfold.

Discuss the match here.

 

[b_radici]

like I mentioned in the other SS discussion, I'm thoroughly disappointed in this pairing. When WWE announced the Rock would return, we were all under the impression that it would be a traditional SS elimination match, not a basic tag team match. I would be more excited over HHH/Punk/Cena/Rock .vs. Miz/Truth/Nash/DelRio than this match. I hope this is only a precursor for an expansion to the match.

 

[Viggo]

A 4-man tag will be off the hook, regardless, but I also hope it's expanded into an elimination tag. The Survivor Series was built on the elimination tag, so I hope there's at least one traditional Series tag match. I also hope I don't have to see mega-tool Johnny Ace interrupting matches again. Get off the television!!

 

[rocksaviour]

I don't mind that The Rock is returning in a straight tag match instead of a SS elimination tag match (which there will be at least one on the card).

Can see why Awesome Truth picked up the win on Sunday instead of Nash coming out after the match and taking out Hunter.

Good stuff I personnally look forward to the match and with it having Miz in, it connects back to Wrestlemania 27 of course.

 

[Adalam]

Honestly, I'd expect it to become 5v4 with Miz and Truth being on the short-handed team, giving the "Outsider's" explanation that their fifth man was late. The match gets down to Cena, Punk, and Rock vs Miz and Truth with the Rock facin Miz. Cena gets in the ring and AA's the Rock before dashing towards the corner with Truth, thus setting him as the heel at Wrestlemania. Considering as how he's no longer the lead cash cow, WWE can turn Cena heel at any time. Thing is, if they stick with a tag match, he really ain't screwin anyone that we wouldn't expect. If it was just the Rock, then he's doing the obvious. If it's more than just the Rock, then it's a dang heel turn.

 

[Wade's Public Transit Bomb]

The match just feels underwhelming. I think mainly because Miz and Truth just aren't cutting it as a team.

I think the build is really going to hurt The Miz because he cannot hold his own against top tier guys or guys who are getting a heavy promo in segments. We saw it with Barrett, Cena, Orton, Lawler, mos def The Rock, Punk, and HHH. Heck, he comes across as Truth's sidekick rather than partner. Not to say he was bad in those segments, but he was totally made into afterthoughts after the segment ended. Man, he is going to get goobled up.

And Truth sucks at everything that isn't 'act like crazy, schizophrenic, & homeless dude.'

 

[King Patrick Star]

I have a strong feeling that this card is subject to change. To me, it would kind of be a letdown if they didn’t go ahead and make Cena, Rock, Miz and Truth Co-Captains of their respective teams and add 6 more Superstars to the match. We all want to see a Traditional Survivor Series Style Elimination match.

I hope that CM Punk does NOT say he “respects” Johnny Ace and that Ace cancels the WWE Title match at Survivor Series. This could put Del Rio in Team Awesome Truth (I guess it would be Team Ace or Team Del Rio if the Champ joins) and put Punk in Team “Vince” (or Team $ or Team “Ego” or Team “Cash Cow”). To round out the Teams, I’d put Nash and Mark Henry in the Heel side and Triple H and Big Show on the Face side.

Booking matches it too easy. HAHA!!

 

[Th3Vip3R2012]

I was very disappointed with the announcement of Cena/Rock vs Awesome Truth on last night's RAW.

the official Survivor Series website confirmed a 5 on 5 Tag Match since September and now they change it to a standard 2 on 2 tag match?

I would also NOT cancel the WWE Championship Match at Survivor Series cause it's the 25th anniversary of the event and they shouldn't leave out the WWE title from the card.

CM Punk vs Del Rio should happen and I hope they change the tag match to the traditional 5 on 5 like previously announced.

I would have HHH, Rock, Cena, Foley and Sheamus vs. Nash, Miz, Truth, Christian and ? but we'll see in the coming weeks.

 

[cm ben]

Is there a reason everyone's assuming it's "just" going to be a tag team match? There's still a lot of time until Survivor Series... a lot can change, still. Whatever the case, I'm excited to see what Rocky has to say. Why would he agree to help Cena? Let's see what he says...

 

[stephenjpunk317]

The way this came about was a little anti-climatic, but it makes sense. I think the Rock needs to make a return soon and not on November 14th as was mentioned I believe around here somewhere. If the Rock comes back next week, I think that would give this the momentum it needs. I feel that the Miz and R Truth are working well as a team, and if they would go over the Rock and Cena, that would be the feather in their cap.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

What exaclty is there to complain about? This is a golden opportunity to cause a couple of very memorable moments in WWE history and, surprise surprise, people are pissing and moaning about it. Ah well, wouldn't be the internet without some fans who're disappointed that WWE doesn't subscribe to the philosophy of fantasy booking.

The Miz is a talented young guy that the WWE sees as a long term star. R-Truth is a respected veteran that's finally become someone that's interesting to watch inside the ring and listen to on the mic. They're facing arguably the two biggest stars to debut in wrestling in the past 20 years, who'll be facing each other one on one at a massive ppv in 2012. The WWE could use this match to give Miz & Truth a helluva rub while, simultaneously, kicking off the build to Cena vs. Rock at WM XXVIII with a huge bang.

This will be the first time The Rock has wrestled in the better part of a decade. That in and of itself will draw some ppv buys. Just having Rock & Cena go out there and team together in a standard tag team match against Miz & Truth would be a waste of time. Miz & Truth aren't in the same league as their opponents when it comes to star power. In order for Miz & Truth to get the rub, they need to win this match and they need to get in offense on both guys. In order to really kick things off with Cena & Rock, I think one of them has to betray the other one.

I know it's been said before in the past and I know that some people have wanted it to happen. I might be completely wrong here but I do think that John Cena will turn heel at Survivor Series. It's the perfect set up: The Rock returns to wrestling action for the first time in 7 years. He's still one of the most over stars in the history of wrestling and has legions of fans still practically worshiping him. As it's Rock's first match in such a long time, it'll feel special to him and he's going up against two guys that he feels should "know their roles and shut their mouths" and he intends to show them said role and shut their mouths for them. John Cena plays the role of the supporting and willing partner against a couple of guys that he hates. But, he hates The Rock more. Why? Because he feels the fans have turned on him. He's given everything for his fans and they boo him, they call "Cena sucks" chants as loud as they possibly can, he's underappreciated, he's disrespected by The Rock and, last but not least, The Rock cost him the WWE Championship at WrestleMania against The Miz. When Cena faces The Rock in Miami at WM 28, he's going to be booed like he's never been booed before. It's The Rock's hometown, there'll be 70,000 people or so in attendance and they'll practically all be against Cena. Turning him heel with generate a HUGE moment, it will take Cena in a different direction, Miz & Truth will get a huge rub via pinning The Rock and Cena vs. Rock is on the Road to WrestleMania.

I don't know that any of that will happen, but I think there's at least a possibility of it. Can WWE screw this up for themselves? Oh yeah, yeah there's no question about that. They can frig this up if they want to, but I don't see it happening. Something will happen in this match that will set the internet buzzing.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

The match just feels underwhelming. I think mainly because Miz and Truth just aren't cutting it as a team.

This is the only thing fans should have to complain about, and even that's pushing it.

Miz and Truth aren't on Cena's level, and are nowhere near Rock's level. It doesn't seem fair, at all. They should be crushed inside of 60 seconds.

However, who else were they supposed to go with? WWE is pretty light on big name heels at the moment, and I honestly think this is the best they could come up with. Also, it makes sense, in terms of storyline, which is important to remember.

Bottom line - they're getting The Rock back into the ring. Buyrates, buyrates, buyrates, plain and simple. It works. He's the biggest draw they have.

 

[TUFFY54]

I'm pretty let down. The 5 on 5 Elimination match is hands down my favorite gimmick in the WWE. We haven't seen a good one in years, and WWE was reporting that Cena and Rock were going to be on a 5 man team.

As others have said, Miz and Truth are simply not in Rock and Cena's league. I really don't see how it could be anything other than a squash. They told everyone over a month ago that it was going to be an elimination match, and they should stick with it. To me this is like not having the battle royal at the Rumble.

Survivor Series was going to be the first PPV I was going to order this year. I was only ordering it for the elimination match main event. If it doesn't happen, I wont be watching.

 

[alexikosalov]

Well shit after the HUGE rub Miz and Truth got from HHH (good call D-Man) I don't see how anyone would think Cena and Rock have a chance in this match. Miz and Truth beat CM Punk and HHH! Do you know how huge that is? Do you know how OVER that has made them? I know they didn't pin HHH (CM Punk took the fall) but that doesn't matter. Point is by just being in the match with them HHH has now helped get Awesome Truth SOOOOOOOOOOO OVER. Just like a lot of people here predicted he would when all the dummies said HHH was just hogging the spotlight. How stupid are those people now?

If HHH hadn't been in that match w them I wouldn't think this is a very good match. But since he was and he got them so over, I think they will win. Makes sense.

 

[phoenixphreek]

like many have said, it was disappointing that this was made into a tag match, when we've all been waiting for a 5 on 5. it kind of ruins all of the build up they've been doing for the last couple months. even last night, miz and truth came out talking about how hhh got what he deserved, basically praising kevin nash so it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to not include those two into the two teams to me.
so yeah, from there they would have to choose 4 more superstars to add, but that wouldn't be too difficult. Airboom had a mini fued with awesome truth a while back so they could be added to the face team, then add vickie's stable to the heels. and everyone knows putting vickie in a corner is instant heat and MSG would be booing the heel team in no time.
or they could play off the smackdown tag match from last night with randy, sheamus, cody and christian. that would also work off their current style of pay-per-views leading into the next pay-per-view since all of them squared off at vengeance. and adding randy to the team would ensure an even bigger pop.

and was i the only that felt cena just rock as his partner was really forced? it just came off as extremely random to me (well not really, considering they'd already announced that they would team up but i mean storyline wise)

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Here's the thing: Having it as a traditional 2 on 2 tag match will assure us that we'll actually see The Rock in the ring, wrestling, not just doing a people's elbow and rock bottom. If it were a 5 on 5 match, they were going to tag him in at the end for 2 moves and that's it.

Now, he's forced to at least do a few things in the ring. He'll refuse to allow Cena to tag him in then Cena will slap him, forcing the tag.

It's obvious that it ends with him Rock Bottoming Truth, Miz, Cena then leaving the ring

 

[LoudClearVoice]

The match just feels underwhelming. I think mainly because Miz and Truth just aren't cutting it as a team.

I think the build is really going to hurt The Miz because he cannot hold his own against top tier guys or guys who are getting a heavy promo in segments. We saw it with Barrett, Cena, Orton, Lawler, mos def The Rock, Punk, and HHH. Heck, he comes across as Truth's sidekick rather than partner. Not to say he was bad in those segments, but he was totally made into afterthoughts after the segment ended. Man, he is going to get goobled up.

And Truth sucks at everything that isn't 'act like crazy, schizophrenic, & homeless dude.'

The powers that be, mainly Vince McMahon, believe strongly in the Miz. You do realize that of all the guys on the roster, they are picking Miz and Truth to step into the ring with THE MAN of the company, John Cena and The legendary Rock. This is Rock's first time back in the ring in over 7 years. If WWE did not have faith in Miz and Truth, they wouldn't be in that match, believe me. He will be able to hold his own and if WWE pulls this off correctly, they'll use the match to hype Wrestlemania showdown but also to put Miz and Truth further over than they've ever been....

Even if the Rock walks out on Cena, allowing Miz and Truth to win, they'll still be so far over.


On a side note, do any of you think Foley will be the guest ref?

 

[undyinglylty]

it should not be a tag team match because there is no base within this match.if u put triple h and nash in th match, it will have more base it and plus it will make more sense.the reason why it was changed into a regular tag match was because vince didn't want an entire hell tag team to be in the 5 on 5 elimination match.so it should be a 3 on 3 or possibly if they decide it a 5 on 5

 

[j2early]

i cant believe people on here still believe that the wwe doesnt consider the miz a main event talent. like many of you have said, i see this as the beginning to the road to wrestlemania. i also see miz and truth winning, and again, as previously stated, a tag match is way better than a 5 on 5 because it gives more opportunity to tell a story in the ring. after the push that awesome truth is on, i can definitely see the miz facing off against cm punk for the wwe title at wrestlemania.

side not to that, i hope in hell that they dont let punk beat del rio at survivor series and we do a hot potato wwe title till mania. let del rio establish himself as a heel champion. and punk will be better suited to chase the belt up till the rumble, where he finally beats del rio. then have the miz win the rumble. it all seems to be working out perfectly, and i got to commend the powers that be for finally planning ahead on some of these story lines(hopefully).

 

[timber123]

im pretty sure the next couple of weeks with cm punks problems with ace, with hhh coming back thinking he was set up by ace saying he wasnt at the arena and cena last night with the whole tag team stuff. that something goes down with makes all 3 completely flip and do something. adding the rock in all this as well

 

[MWRedskins]

the only complaints about this match is Miz and Truth dont look to be winning this match unless Cena turns heel (unlikely) or if Rock and Cena have issues together. Cena actually won his handicap match vs. Awesome Truth because Truth hit Cena with a plastic water bottle (ugg, that is the dumbest weapon by the way). if they wanted to make this match seem better they should've had Truth hit Cena in the gut when he had Miz in the AA then have Miz his the SCF and win the match, but instead a DQ by a water bottle. i just dont know if i see them winning over Cena and The Rock. this match is intriguing though due to The Rock.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

the only complaints about this match is Miz and Truth dont look to be winning this match unless Cena turns heel (unlikely) or if Rock and Cena have issues together. Cena actually won his handicap match vs. Awesome Truth because Truth hit Cena with a plastic water bottle (ugg, that is the dumbest weapon by the way). if they wanted to make this match seem better they should've had Truth hit Cena in the gut when he had Miz in the AA then have Miz his the SCF and win the match, but instead a DQ by a water bottle. i just dont know if i see them winning over Cena and The Rock. this match is intriguing though due to The Rock.

I actually think Miz and Truth will win but it will be because The Rock will walk out on Cena. He will Rock Bottom everyone then leave the arena. Miz will crawl on top of Cena and pin him. I can see that type of ending.

Rock and Cena winning doesn't really do anything. They're going to use this match to hype the Wrestlemania match but also put Miz and Truth over. If Rock and Cena win, how does that hype up the match at Wrestlemania? How does that put Truth and Miz over? It doesn't....

 

[The Idiot]

I actually think Miz and Truth will win but it will be because The Rock will walk out on Cena. He will Rock Bottom everyone then leave the arena. Miz will crawl on top of Cena and pin him. I can see that type of ending.

Rock and Cena winning doesn't really do anything. They're going to use this match to hype the Wrestlemania match but also put Miz and Truth over. If Rock and Cena win, how does that hype up the match at Wrestlemania? How does that put Truth and Miz over? It doesn't....

You said it perfectly. That's pretty much the ONLY outcome I see. Nothing the Rock can do will turn him heel, but if Cena were to turn on the Rock he would become the heel instantly. I'm sure Vince wants to keep this face vs face but at the same time start to hype the match for Wrestlemania. Rock laying out Cena and leaving would be the perfect ending and the Awesome Truth gets to go over, AGAIN.


It'll be interesting to see how the WWE handles this.

 

[EStreet]

I really hope we get some kind of John Cena turning heel ala Hulk Hogan '96. The time could never be more right for Cena to go heel. He has been involved in a very confusing storyline with no clear pay-off. He needs to be out of the title picture and as a face "Super Cena" its impossible to watch him overcome everyone and not win the title (or chase the title and not win the title). But if he goes heel, we have interest in him no matter what because it is something completely different. Plus - his tag team partner is The Rock who will put Cena over as a heel in ways nobody else can. I would let Cena turn on Rock somepoint and join up with Miz/Truth. Let him play on how Punk made all these demands and got what he wanted and how he hasn't received a fair shot at the title since - give him things to bitch about like a typical heel. I would even consider having Nash get involved in this - an allusion to the NWO, but dont call it NWO.

whatever they do, Cena needs to go heel.

 

[Harthan]

This is a very, very interesting match. There a lot of ways for it to go down. It all depends on why exactly the WWE is bringing the Rock out now. There's still a good ways to go down the stretch to WrestleMania. If they really intend on building the Rock vs Cena nonstop till then - which I think is an awesome move, by the way - then this goes does down a different way than if this is just trotting out the Rock to remind us about him and then bringing him back sometime after the Rumble. Keep in mind I have no idea what the Rock's filming schedule is like, so I don't know how feasible it is that he would be here from Survivor Series to WrestleMania in a straight shot.

The other thing that has to be considered is this - the WWE is staring straight down the barrel of another Hogan vs Rock, wherein the crowd at WrestleMania 28 will turn on Cena so hard - and not just there, but worldwide - that he might be unable to recover as a face. The thing is - Vince isn't an idiot. He knows there is potential for that. And I think he might want it. As cliche as it is, as tired as it is to keep saying that Cena's going to turn heel, so on, so forth, I really think it might happen at WM 28 this year. The reason I mention this here is that I think it means there is no way that Cena turns here, as some have been suggesting. It doesn't mean that Cena won't attack the Rock, however - there's a difference.

If the WWE intend to just trot the Rock out, what I think might happen is this. They tease the lack of cooperation for the whole build, they try to show each other up throughout the match, and somehow they win because they're Supermen. Then, afterwards, Cena lays an AA on the Rock to close the show. I don't think this turns him heel, anymore than the Rock Bottom at WM 27 turned Rock heel. I think that the Rock will bitch about it on Twitter but leave it well enough alone until they go down the road to WrestleMania.

But, if they intend to start the long term build right now...then I think the right move is for them to lose. Their lack of cooperation would cost them the match, though through no lack of Miz and Truth shenanigans. I don't think either should walk out, but perhaps Johnny Ace could involve himself in some tricky way. I'm not too sure, obviously they won't look too weak in the loss. Have them piss off the Rock somewhere down the way so he has incentive to stick around. Rock and Cena might then decide to stick together and take revenge at TLC.

It's a complex puzzle and there are a lot of variables that go into how this match plays out, which I think makes it incredibly exciting. Played correctly, the tension between Rock and Cena will be thick enough to cut with a knife and the question of who turns on who - and when - will be very hot. I hope that they do a straight build from here to Mania, and I'm excited to see how it starts. My gut is saying that whether or not they're doing the straight build, Cena and Rock will win. As much as I think it'd make sense to stretch the Truth/Miz feud a bit, I'm having trouble honestly believing that the tag team of Cena and Rock will lose.