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Rate The Rock vs. CM Punk Feud

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Official The Rock vs. CM Punk Discussion Thread

823K views 9K replies 1K participants last post by  Nimbus 
#1 · (Edited)
wwe.com said:
Perhaps the parade was premature. Perhaps the celebrating, the humble tweets to The People and the legions of Team Bring It, and the proclamation that FINALLY, The Rock was WWE Champion once again jumped the gun by just a bit. Maybe, just maybe, The Rock put the horse before the cart when he celebrated his latest triumph on Raw Roulette, because CM Punk is not done with The Great One by a long shot.


How could he be, either? When a Superstar holds the WWE Title — Punk’s “life’s work,” in his own words — for 434 days spread across three calendar years, he does not just simply throw up his hands and call it a good run when the prize is taken from his clutches. So it was of no surprise when, during The Rock’s celebratory address to the WWE Universe as its new champion, The Straight Edge Superstar himself declared would be evoking his rematch clause – “granting” Rock a rematch was how he earned it – at Elimination Chamber. It was also of no surprise that The Rock gladly accepted.

But once again, maybe Rock is counting his proverbial chickens too early, because for all CM Punk’s feverish boasting in his final days as champion, he was right about one thing after the Royal Rumble: Hedidpin The Rock. It was one-two-three in the middle of the ring, although it took a sneak attack by who we can only assume was The Shield to weaken The Brahma Bull enough for Punk to make the pin. And it was only after Mr. McMahon restarted the bout that The Great One found enough of a second wind to silence CM Punk and put The Straight Edge Superstar to sleep, claiming his eighth WWE Championship in the process.

So at Elimination Chamber, the most brutal pit stop on The Road to WrestleMania, The Rock will face his own personal demon yet again. And The People’s Champion will have to be very, very careful, because CM Punk does not make the same mistake twice, and he is very, very angry. The very real opinion exists — depending whom you ask — that Punk should still be WWE Champion. And with it, the very real possibility exists — should The Rock think one victory equals winning the war — that The Brahma Bull’s parade could end as soon as it began and that CM Punk will be champion again, with history in his hands for the third time.


Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said:
Over 100 years of Heavyweight Champions.

3 generations in my blood.

New WWE Champion.

My honor. TEAM BRING IT.


wwe.com said:
Attitude Era original Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will compete in his first World Title match in more than a decade when he challenges WWE Champion CM Punk, the longest-reigning WWE Title holder of the past quarter-century, at Royal Rumble on Jan. 27.

The WWE Universe has anxiously awaited The Great One’s return to the WWE Title picture since he announced his championship opportunity on Raw 1,000 last July. Though there was no guarantee at the time whom The Rock’s opponent would be, the always-confident Punk fired an opening salvo that night, cutting down The Rock with a clothesline before knocking him out with a picture-perfect Go to Sleep. The following week, The Voice of the Voiceless defended his actions by suggesting The Great One, having been “gifted” a WWE Title match, viewed victory at the Royal Rumble as a foregone conclusion.

Whether a real or perceived slight, the implication that The Rock places himself on a higher plane than the current WWE Champion was seemingly all the motivation Punk needed to make sure he would still have the title on Jan. 27.

In the half-year since Raw 1,000, The Second City Saint stunned WWE fans by aligning with Paul Heyman and ratcheting up the vitriol of his speech. More important than either of those details, he has — by hook or by crook — maintained possession of the championship gold. Having turned back challenges by John Cena and Ryback in recent months, The Best in the World now looks ahead to testing himself against the seven-time former WWE Champion who vowed in 2012 to regain the title.

For The Rock, an A-list Hollywood action star and third-generation Superstar who has sports-entertainment coursing through his veins, the Royal Rumble title match represents the start of a potential career renaissance inside the ring. Since March 2004, The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment has competed in only two sanctioned WWE matches, teaming with John Cena to shred The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) at Survivor Series 2011 and overcoming the Cenation leader at WrestleMania XXVIII.

But by vying for the most treasured prize in sports-entertainment, The Rock is committing to more than another appearance as a “special attraction.” Rather, he is setting his eyes on again becoming WWE’s gold standard.

Hell-bent though The Rock may be on introducing a new generation of WWE fans to The People’s Champion, there is no discounting Punk’s deftness once the bell rings. Controversial endings to several high-profile title defenses may have tarnished The Second City Saint’s reputation in the eyes of some critics, but they have done nothing to change the fact the WWE Championship still sits around his waist. Before his seedier side came into focus in late summer, Punk spent much of 2012 disposing of WWE’s best and brightest, ranging from Chris Jericho and Daniel Bryan to Dolph Ziggler and Kane. How will the WWE Champion match up against one of the pillars of The Attitude Era?

As the WWE Universe excitedly counts down the days until Jan. 27, the back-and-forth between two of WWE’s most compelling talkers is bound to pick up steam. It will not be until the Royal Rumble, however, that the trash talk gives way to the gravity of a game-changing WWE Championship bout, the likes of which hasn’t seen in years. Will Royal Rumble mark the rebirth of a championship Brahma Bull, or will it only underscore what Punk has claimed all along, that he is untouchable and in a class by himself?
The Rock explains why he wants WWE Title

WWE part-time star The Rock revealed why re-capturing the WWE Title is important to him in a new interview with WWE Magazine. It's a statement that has been missing from WWE television leading up to the Royal Rumble PPV.

"It starts with recognizing what the WWE Championship represents to me," Rock said in the February 2013 issue. "Every time I hold that title over my head in victory, it not only signifies the fact that I have delivered the absolute best entertainment that I could to the WWE Universe, but that I'm taking a moment to live an experience that all the generations of wrestlers in my family strived to achieve.

Rock continued, "There is no other award that I could receive that's as deeply ingrained in my blood and history as the WWE Championship - and that's why it means so much to me."

At the same time, Rock said that after his first WWE Title reign - which came in 1998 - he decided that he would never allow his possession of or lack of the WWE Title define his career.

"After my first WWE Championship run came to an end, I made a conscious decision that night that I would work harder than any other Superstar in the locker room to become the type of WWE entertainer who, if I never had another championship run again, it would not define my career. I never wanted to rely on a title run for success."

Rock's next statement reflects his recent approach to mixing "entertainment" with "seriousness." Rock concluded, "My goal was to get to a place where I relied only on what I could bring to the table in terms of being entertaining and having a one-of-a-kind - and electrifying - connection with all of the WWE Universe."

[ FYI: Rock's interview is part of a cover-feature on Rock in the latest WWE Magazine. ]

Link - http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_68014.shtml














 
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#1,085 · (Edited)
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

The HOF in MSG is the perfect place for The Rock, it needs to be there but he's main eventing the PPV so they probably want to save him for when he's not wrestling. Still, huge missed opportunity and Rock himself probably wants it to be there. Not like I care about the joke "HOF", I want to see it mainly because of the video package and the awesome moment it will create in a place that was a major factor in everything Rock did his entire "wrestling life", the atmosphere could have been crazy.

They can do something special if they get some rare attraction like Warrior along with Nash, Foley etc.

Speaking of The Rock's old school shirts:

7:59


"OK, do you not understand what The Rock is saying? This big fat retarded Mankind he's running around town spending The Rock's money like it's going out of style, we're talking about 97 thousand dollars, that's 5 new shirts for The Rock"

:rocky

 
#1,091 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

The HOF in MSG is the perfect place for The Rock, it needs to be there but he's main eventing the PPV so they probably want to save him for when he's not wrestling. Still, huge missed opportunity and Rock himself probably wants it to be there. Not like I care about the joke "HOF", I want to see it mainly because of the video package and the awesome moment it will create in a place that was a major factor in everything Rock did his entire "wrestling life", the atmosphere could have been crazy.

They can do something special if they get some rare attraction like Warrior along with Nash, Foley etc.

Speaking of The Rock's old school shirts:

7:59


"OK, do you not understand what The Rock is saying? This big fat retarded Mankind he's running around town spending The Rock's money like it's going out of style, we're talking about 97 thousand dollars, that's 5 new shirts for The Rock"

:rocky

I had that when I was a kid damm time goes by fast
 
#1,093 ·
Wwe should do The undertaker vs the rock at wrestlemania

Who cares about the title when there's the streak? Rock has won the title numerous times, whats another do for him? Id much rather see Rock/taker. Would be a huge swerve.
 
#1,094 ·
Re: Wwe should do The undertaker vs the rock at wrestlemania

Who cares about the title when there's the streak? Rock has won the title numerous times, whats another do for him? Id much rather see Rock/taker. Would be a huge swerve.
It's not about what it does for him. It's all about what it does for the WWE. Imagine all that media coverage with Rock wearing the WWE title belt during all of his promotion stuff.

This is the main, if not the only reason that Rock is in the title match at Royal Rumble and probably Mania 29.
 
#1,096 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

would a double turn work? I mean if rock beat the shit out of cm punk and kayfabe broke his arm and then said "hahahaha i won the title but now im not sticking around im keeping it at hollywood" would ppl still cheer rock?
 
#1,102 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

would a double turn work? I mean if rock beat the shit out of cm punk and kayfabe broke his arm and then said "hahahaha i won the title but now im not sticking around im keeping it at hollywood" would ppl still cheer rock?
The easiest way to pull off the heel turn would be Brock Lesnar interfering on Rock's behalf.

It would blindside everyone because of the expectation for Brock to cheat on the behalf of CM Punk due to his allegiance with Heyman.

I just don't see how they can tie this to John Cena and Punk should stay heel just in case they can pull together an Austin match whether that be at 29 or 30.
 
#1,097 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

Not unless Heyman also drops Punk in the process and possibly joins Rock because the Hollywood star is the "more profitable client." I think Rock would still get a lot of cheers no matter what so it probably wouldn't be best to turn him heel although they did try to make him look like the Hollywood outsider in the Cena feud. I just want creative to not try to hold Rock back on the mic again for fear of him outshining the rest of the roster. They probably will let him take more liberties with Punk because they are as paranoid with protecting him as they are with Cena and Punk's a slimy heel anyway.
 
#1,098 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

Not unless Heyman also drops Punk in the process and possibly joins Rock because the Hollywood star is the "more profitable client." I think Rock would still get a lot of cheers no matter what so it probably wouldn't be best to turn him heel although they did try to make him look like the Hollywood outsider in the Cena feud. I just want creative to not try to hold Rock back on the mic again for fear of him outshining the rest of the roster. They probably will let him take more liberties with Punk because they are as paranoid with protecting him as they are with Cena and Punk's a slimy heel anyway.
Heyman dropping Punk would actually make a lot of sense. Foley said that Heyman will always do what's best for himself, so if he were to be proven right and Heyman did ditch Punk for Rock, I think it would really make a double turn more effective.

I also think Rock isnt completely immune from being booed, you could hear him getting booed during that awful Cena/Rock feud sometimes.
 
#1,099 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

Rock can get heat but I'm not sure it would be worthwhile to book him that way. It would be entertaining in either role; just more effective promotion wise as a face at this point. With that Foley point you brought up I can actually see Heyman dropping Punk but only to get the WWE Title on Brock.
 
#1,100 · (Edited)
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

No reason for Rock to be a heel but if they're doing the pointless Rock/Cena rematch, then someone needs to be a heel this time, and Rock coming to RAW in a suit and limo "just because he has a few minutes of free time" would be a tremendous character. Rock was never in a position to be a babyface in the Cena program, WWE did everything they could to turn the crowd on him, they used every manipulation trick in the book, from trying to lie about his passion to attack babyface Foley while presenting his opponent as a poor victim who works hard. Rock is on a red carpet, 3-4k in Mexico smiling and signing autographs - Cena is doing Make a Wish charity and saying that he is never at home. Everything was for one reason and that's to get Cena over, which failed miserably because he only got more and more heat which peaked in Miami for WM weekend at WM28 and RAW. They wanted to give you every reason to hate Rock and love Cena which cost them buys for WM. It was really a pitiful process.

Anyway, Rock appearing on RAW like this:


Reality based, saying that he's The GOAT, bigger than wrestling and all the fans and kids in the locker room should be grateful that he even agreed to lower himself and save this place. Money. Can be a GOAT character. Although the crowd is begging to cheer and sing along and he's doing record business everywhere so it's really unnecessary. But with a possibility of Rock/Cena again, this can be awesome.
 
#1,101 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

No reason for Rock to be a heel but if they're doing the pointless Rock/Cena rematch, then someone needs to be a heel this time, and Rock coming to RAW in a suit and limo "just because he has a few minutes of free time" would be a tremendous character. Rock was never in a position to be a babyface in the Cena program, WWE did everything they could to turn the crowd on him, they used every manipulation trick in the book, from trying to lie about his passion to attack babyface Foley while presenting his opponent as a poor victim who works hard. Rock is on a red carpet, 3-4k in Mexico smiling and signing autographs - Cena is doing Make a Wish charity and saying that he is never at home. Everything was for one reason and that's to get Cena over, which failed miserably because he only got more and more heat which peaked in Miami for WM weekend at WM28 and RAW. They wanted to give you every reason to hate Rock and love Cena which cost them buys for WM. It was really a pitiful process.

Anyway, Rock appearing on RAW like this:


Reality based, saying that he's bigger than wrestling and all the fans and kids in the locker room should be grateful that he even agreed to lower himself and save this place. Money. Can be a GOAT character. Although the crowd is begging to cheer and sing along and he's doing record business everywhere so it's really unnecessary. But with a possibility of Rock/Cena again, this can be awesome.
Hollywood Rock Part II.

Current WWE not ready for that greatness of a character.
 
#1,104 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

Lets say Rock beats Punk at the Rumble to set up a title match wih Cena like we all predict.

Well how are they going to deal with Punks rematch clause? Surely Rock won't wrestle at Elimination Chamber? And they're not giving away a free tv match.

Makes me think they may do a triple threat at Mania. Cena can still pin Rock to get his win back and keep Vinny Mac happy. :cena2 :vince

And it makes the fued/match fresher.
 
#1,106 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

I agree that Rock Vs Cena needs a babyface and a heel.

But WWE seen how much money they've made from the fued with them both being babyfaces, I don't see them changing anything.

Give Rock the Hollywood gimmick and he'd get a ton of heat, but he'd be too funny to hate or dislike.

I just think they should go with Brock Vs Rock at WM. It's the biggest match they can put on and it's so easy to get that feud started.

Just have Brock screw Rock at RR and Punk retains. Bang. There is your feud.
 
#1,112 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

I agree that Rock Vs Cena needs a babyface and a heel.

But WWE seen how much money they've made from the fued with them both being babyfaces, I don't see them changing anything.

Give Rock the Hollywood gimmick and he'd get a ton of heat, but he'd be too funny to hate or dislike.

I just think they should go with Brock Vs Rock at WM. It's the biggest match they can put on and it's so easy to get that feud started.

Just have Brock screw Rock at RR and Punk retains. Bang. There is your feud.
That's cool, you've setup Rock/Brock but now you have Punk still as champion going into WrestleMania, whose his opponent? Austin:mark: or Ryback:side:
 
#1,108 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

I must be one of the only people who don't think Rock-Cena will happen again at 29, everyone seems to think it's set in stone but I don't see it. Like I've been saying for months I still think Lesnar will interfere at the Rumble to set up him vs. Rock. I can't see any way for Rock to win the title because that would mean he would be at every Raw and that seems impossible given his schedule. And there's no way they are gonna put Punk over Rock clean, that honour will be saved for Cena (at some point).

And a DQ/Heyman interference or dusty finish isn't gonna satisfy anybody, that's the only way I can see it going down.

So Rock/Brock, not sure where that leaves Taker/HHH/Cena/Punk though. Tag team match to open the show? :russo
 
#1,113 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

One road they could take if Brock screwed Rock out of the title at Rumble is to have Brock win the title inside Elimination Chamber. In that match Punk would be eliminated by whoever he is feuding with at WrestleMania, probably Triple H. Then you have Rock/Brock for the WWE Title at WrestleMania, or you don't put the title on Brock and have HHH/Punk for the title.

This title situation with part-time guys can be tricky but they can do it IF they book it creatively...:vince
 
#1,118 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

Maybe...



Random:
Lil Wayne Celebrates The Rock’s Wrestlemania Win in Miami



Wrestling fans were excited for WrestleMania 28 last night (April 1), including Lil Wayne.

The music titan celebrated in Miami’s Liv nightclub last night (April 1) like he won the WWE Championship, as he carried a replica of the belt over his shoulders while engaging with the crowd throughout the wee hours of the night. [SEE PHOTO BELOW] He also performed an impromptu set of some of his own records and sang some of songs by his peers.

Standing on a small ledge in front of the DJ booth, with Liv’s Master of Ceremonies Stevie J, Weezy bounced and sang along to the chorus of Gunplay’s “Rollin’”, then the DJ slowed things down a bit and put on Drake’s “Crew Love.” Weezy rapped a few of his flagship artist’s lineswith a smile.

Later Wayne took his shirt off and said a few freestyle lines of his own, like, ”Back on my bullshit, back on my bullshit / I’m a deadman walking, follow my footprints.”

“Stevie J just asked me to ask ‘who got that good pussy?’” Wayne also asked the ladies in the room with a grin.

At some point, Wayne told Stevie he wasn’t performing any more songs. However, the vibe was right, and Wayne kept entertaining. Mack Maine came up in front of the crowd and Weezy rocked “The Motto” and “I’m On One” to clubgoers’ amusement.

YMCMB weren’t the only superstars in the building last night. Flo Rida and Machine Gun Kelly were also in attendance, celebrating their performances at WrestleMania 28 earlier in the night, while Trina, Ace Hood, and producer/ songwriter Rico Love were also in the house. —Shaheem Reid
 
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