Former WWE rivals Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena have taken fans by surprise with a heartwarming reunion that unfolded during a recent WWE SmackDown event at the Ball Arena in Denver. The unexpected encounter between these wrestling icons delighted fans worldwide.
The memorable moment took place backstage during a broadcast of WWE SmackDown, and it all started when ESPN sports analyst Pat McAfee concluded a conversation with Johnson, who is 51 years old.
As their handshake marked the end of their discussion, McAfee couldn’t resist drawing attention to a nostalgic reference, quipping, “Hey, there’s a guy, he can’t see you.” This was a playful nod to Cena’s famous wrestling catchphrase, “You can’t see me.”
The camera then revealed Cena standing silently behind Johnson, hands clasped behind his back. The crowd erupted in excitement, and the two former rivals locked eyes.
With straight faces and an initially stoic posture, it wasn’t long before both wrestlers cracked smiles. Johnson, still unsmiling, pointed at Cena, teasingly saying, “I see you trying to smile!” Cena acknowledged the observation with a nod and extended his hand, warmly welcoming Johnson back into the WWE fold. The two legends then shared a heartfelt hug as the audience roared with approval.
Fans took to social media to express their delight, thrilled to witness this heartwarming moment of camaraderie between two wrestling icons who had once been fierce opponents.
“This was cool to see; Strikes did us fans wonders low-key,” one wrestling enthusiast commented, alluding to the recent Hollywood SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes that have drawn significant attention.
Over the years, Johnson and Cena maintained a highly publicized professional rivalry that captivated WWE audiences. Their legendary feud was even explored in the A&E series WWE Rivals, which showcased their intense competition.
Cena didn’t hold back in both on-screen and off-screen critiques of Johnson, leading to highly anticipated matches in 2012 and 2013. In 2011, Cena openly questioned Johnson’s commitment to the wrestling business, claiming that he hadn’t set foot in a ring for eight years. These verbal spats were well-documented in WWE Rivals, including an old clip of Johnson remarking, “This is what happens when idiots have confidence,” in response to Cena’s comments leading up to their WrestleMania showdown.
Despite the years of verbal jabs and fierce matches, Cena has recently spoken fondly of Johnson. After returning to the WWE ring in 2021 following a hiatus, Cena expressed his hope that Johnson would also make a comeback.
“He’s earned the right not to be pressured into that choice. I can say he is a fan of the WWE. He is the most electrifying man in sports entertainment,” Cena stated in 2021, acknowledging Johnson’s remarkable career. “So as a fan, do I want to see one of the greatest performers of all time step back in the WWE ring? Yeah. But in no way am I gonna call him, and if I’m gonna talk to him about something, it’s not gonna try to be to get him back in the WWE ring.”
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