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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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#2,901 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

I hope that if they are doing Rock/Cena II it is for the title . It would give substance to the feud which was something really lacking in last years feud which is horrific considering the kind of story they could have built and the match really was just left to be sold on star power alone.
 
#2,902 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

The people complaining about Rock/Cena I don't even know what they want or how they would of made it better in the first place. Cena doesn't want to turn heel and they tried to save face from the fans choosing a Attitude Era boss over him. Simple as that. All of that over analazying doesn't mean anything.

In more relevant news
F4Wonline.com is reporting one major reason Vince McMahon has been supportive of CM Punk continuing to retain the WWE Championship is worry of how The Rock would react if Punk dropped the title.

McMahon was said to be very supportive of CM Punk holding on to the title at Survivor Series because he's worried if the title gets put on anyone different, The Rock might have an issue with it.

A match between The Rock and CM Punk at Royal Rumble has been teased since the summer and is something The Rock agreed upon. McMahon reportedly doesn't want to upset The Rock by changing things last minute regarding his creative plans for 2013.
 
#2,925 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

This just screams speculation.

If you're gunna pull some shit out of your ass and call it news at least make it more convincing.
When do they ever bother with that? At least the title was something different, it makes you think of Vince and Rock with their heads huddled conspiratorially, plotting CM Punk's demise.
 
#2,910 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

I'd be so happy if Punk went over Rock. What a twist that would be. Plus Punk's reign would feel pretty spectacular.
 
#2,974 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

I'd be so happy if Punk went over Rock. What a twist that would be. Plus Punk's reign would feel pretty spectacular.
I agree. I like Rock but I think it belittles the title to have some guy who has wrestled 2 times since 2004 winning it. Plus if they go for Rock vs Cena II, they don't need the damn title for that. Plus the story is already written. Rock cheated Cena out of the title at Wrestlemania 27, so Cena could come out and screw Rock - leading to their rematch.

The way I see it is when you have a reign as long as Punk's it should end at Wrestlemania, especially when he's a heel. He's dodged and dived and ducked and weaved in recent times to keep the belt and Wrestlemania should be the place where he's ran out of luck. The only question becomes; to whom?
 
#2,912 ·
Re: Official The Rock WWE Championship Discussion

The Hollywood passer known as DWANE Vs. The man who works his arse of 365 days a year was by FAR... the worse storyline I've ever witnessed to date for such a big match up imo. Rock/Cena II can only get better especially with the belt on the line this time.
 
#2,916 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

Hey Hogan was in and out in the late 80s early 90s. When he came back he got the belt, that's how it worked. Im OK with Rock doing that a couple times over the next 5 years.

Punk has been awesome. There is a possibility of swerving everyone and having Punk retain at the Rumble. I think for Rock vs Cena 2 to be successful it has to be for the title.
 
#2,956 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

Hey Hogan was in and out in the late 80s early 90s. When he came back he got the belt, that's how it worked. Im OK with Rock doing that a couple times over the next 5 years.

Punk has been awesome. There is a possibility of swerving everyone and having Punk retain at the Rumble. I think for Rock vs Cena 2 to be successful it has to be for the title.
Is that even a swerve? Punk is undefeated over the last 13 PPVs. It's more like a boring intentional walk than a curveball.


When do they ever bother with that? At least the title was something different, it makes you think of Vince and Rock with their heads huddled conspiratorially, plotting CM Punk's demise.
Which is a really shitty conspiracy theory to pre-emptively make an excuse for why Punk's reign ended (when it should have several months ago). Rather than just admit it's WAY past time for a change in the WWE champ department.

It isn't something different either. There's been "backstage news" and "dirtsheet news" about supposed anti-Punk movements in the locker room or upstairs to end his reign early or to stop his push or to "hold him back", or some other dumb shit.

There's been no movement in place other than to keep the title ON him and to keep pushing him, not to take it off and "hold him back".
 
#2,919 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

this is rubbish. there is no way vince or the rock would allow punk to go over the rock not a chance. i think this rumor is made up. why would the rock have the ass ache with it ? and would vince allow punk to go over the rock? i dont think so the rock has made prob 10x what punk has made the wwe infact the rock was a huge factor in the wwe still being around when the wwe was at war with wcw. and does vince like punk as if we go by this rumor page then there is no relationship between the wwe or punk. as last week it stated there was broken relations between punk and the wwe.

if vince had a choice im sure the rock would come out smelling off roses as it would be better for buisness. the rock isnt full time but the title having prestige can have a bigger impact
 
#2,920 ·
To put it simply: The Rock should not win at the Rumble. A part timer dethroning a champion of over a year? Blasphemy. .

Punk has been there every week. Rock shows up a few times since Mania and is handed a title shot.

Seems legit.

On a side note, how would that make Punk look? And how would it make creative look? It would prove they have little faith in younger talent. Falling back on AE stars..
 
#2,922 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

They've backed themselves into a corner with The Rock. He obviously will be main eventing wrestlemania so can they afford to have him lose to CM Punk and then try to push him as the main star at mania. It happened before when he lost to Jericho at the rumble and then went on to have the icon vs. icon with Hogan so it can be done. I just don't see what is out there for The Rock other than Rock vs. Cena 2. He'll already have Punk. Rock vs. Ryback. I wouldn't mind Rock vs. Taker or even Rock vs. Brock but would they do the two part timeres. A match that makes sense but wouldn't draw could be Rock vs. Roman Reigns if The Shield cost Rock the tile at the Rumble they could play why would Reigns turn on family. Hard to say right now but the most obvious and most likely scenario is Roc beats Punk at Rumble setting up Rock/Cena 2 at mania where Cena evens the score 1-1.
 
#2,926 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

If The Rock goes over CM Punk at Royal Rumble, he'll make the whole roster look weak... again.
I mean, a part timer who has fought twice (?) since 2003 beating CM Punk would be just... weak.

That being said, I believe The Rock WILL go over CM Punk and we will see The Rock vs John Cena part II at WrestleMania.
 
#2,927 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

I doubt The Rock is gonna take the title off Punk. He's always been about putting talent over for the future of the business. Despite being an all-time great, a part-timer holding the belt is a bad idea, and I'm sure Rocky knows it. Look at his track record here: Triple H, Foley, The Hurricane, Goldberg, Lesnar, Orton & Batista, Kurt Angle... Yeah, people like to bring up Cena as a negative point, but let's be real, Cena's at a level where he doesn't need to be put over anymore, the guy's credibility is officially indestructible.

Got off track. Anyway, point is, final decision belongs to Vince, but I doubt The Rock wants to end Punk's reign in the slightest.
 
#2,928 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

Hey, if you want to have no wwe champion on tv or at house shows or at elimination chamber (a ppv) and then have it likely dropped back to CENA then go ahead and cheer for rock to win.


Rock losing in a screwjob fashion is better for business than him winning and disappearing.


This story is bullshit though, there's no conspiracy, this is probably already worked out.
 
#2,930 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

Thank god for The Rock, making sure that goof Ryback doesn't win the title.
 
#2,931 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

He HAS to lose it to Rock at this point though, because of how they've booked things, I can't quite believe how a feud as fresh as Punk/Ryback was in September has been ran dry already by them constantly going back to it, I would held off and seen what they could have got out of those two at WrestleMania but we certainly can't get that now.

Regarding Rock winning and certain people being unhappy, they'd be fine with Taker/Punk at WrestleMania for the belt sounds great even though Taker isn't even part-time but a one show a year guy, but they'd be fine for Punk to drop the title in that scenario.

STUPID STUPID STUPID :eek:rton
 
#2,936 ·
Re: Backstage news on Vince and Rock ending Punk's championship reign

I will be major pissed off if Rock takes the title, he doesn't need it and the shot is undeserved.

Build up some of the young talent Vince, stop relying on your nostalgia.
While I agree that The Rock shouldn't, by any means, win the title, I don't think anything he's "undeserving" of such a thing.
 
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