The Rock - why his match with Cena was bigger than his match with Hulk Hogan, & more

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson goes one-on-one with entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet from WOIO in Cleveland. He talks about his preparation for his WrestleMania match against John Cena and why it could be a bigger match than his WrestleMania 18 match with Hulk Hogan.
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Instagram: @ChrisVanVliet
Twitter: @ChrisVanVliet
Facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet

[@Markus6012]

The way he gives the Cameraman and Chris positive critique just goes to show that he wants people to succed. He wants them to know that they did good and keep it up. I like that mentality.

[@sychophantt]

Rock vs Hogan was insanity

[@BdeJJG]

I know, I dont get why ppl dont respect this guy more, hes made it that he still gave us classic whether he was the winner or looser. classic after classic

[@slimjohn3351]

He whoop that red and yellow candy ass!!!

[@tisssyyy]

So was this match lol. Hype was through the roof as a kid 😆

[@benektoczykula4679]

Damn Rock looks so tired. First time seeing him not being hyped.

[@bgfarm857]

He's either had an entire day of nothing but interviews or he'd been drinking tequila for a few hours lol.....or both

[@ayanovlekharu]

After 8 years it's still the big match in the history of wrestlemania.

[@iane-z3j]

Biggest match in wrestlemania history is The Rock vs Stone Cold WM17 actually!

[@BdeJJG]

yeah no matter hwo big the others I think Austin Rock is really special cause of they put it on their back and both knew they were going for more and in their prime.

[@Jellybob69]

Rock v Cena 2 beat it. Think of that as you will.

[@theworldisimmense]

What made it huge was the build up but the ending of the match was horrible so ain’t considered the best of the best

[@maheshkhane8510]

Same

[@kalanjingles]

Agree. Literally the biggest WM matches are all the Rocks matches

[@shaneomacdaddy]

Hogan was the John Cena of his day and John Cena is today's Hulk Hogan. Hogan was for us when we were children and Cena is for the children of today, and The Rock 🤘🏻beat them both.

[@batmaneatspizza]

Rock was my hogan lmao

[@Daboricuakidd]

The rock is the man... But damn I wish he would speak the way he did in 98 now lmao.... He's still the man though haha

[@bjaminstaples]

His 98 and 99 voice was my all time fav too. Plus the side burns and 500 dollar shirts. He moved slower too with his mannerisms

[@Xenlacasa45]

For real he sounds plain and ordinary now

[@therockfan1598]

Now he's just a business man and a actor so he's a gentleman before he was The best trash talker ever

[@CJMacN1990]

THE ROCK IS THE GREATEST. IF HE HAD OF LEFT FOR 7 YEARS I REALLY BELIEVE HE WOULD HAVE WON 17 WWE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRING IT IF YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING

[@arpitranka23]

the Rock will always be the great one.

[@bipinsoubam9691]

Rock-Austin WM 17 is the greatest match of all time. No matter how many superstars and perfect matches come up in the future

[@rinas7156]

Hogan vs rock was a evergreen blockbuster match.

[@MaDaB1]

i think hogan and the rock is a bigger deal to me anyway

[@tara33ify]

I think this was, but they messed it up making it a twice in a life time

[@cultavenue4580]

Tara 33ify but hogan and rock fought twice.

[@MaDaB1]

Hogan faced the rock at No way out 2003 wich was similarish angle didnt feel great about that but wasnt too much though

[@sabahanwarpath8634]

hogan steroids user fucking sucker

[@djtrankilo231]

@@cultavenue4580 at least the second match wasn't a Wrestlemania main event, though

[@saltedllama2759]

I get that he has to push it for marketing's sake, but it was absolutely NOT bigger than his match with Hogan. His match with Hogan was the most lit up a crowd has ever been at a Wrestlemania. Even Stone Cold says it was the most electric moment he's ever seen in WM history, and that's part of why he regrets not working with Hogan. The Rock only thinks less of it because the crowd completely turned on him through that entire angle. The Rock didn't like the angle because it proved, once and for all, that Hogan was the biggest superstar of them all. WM18 is a moment in time that everyone will remember. His match(es) with Cena isn't even in the top 10. Rock's comeback felt forced, and like he was doing an impression of his former self.

[@SmokeyIsOTRS]

big Show,HHH,Shane and Austin even Cole love Rock and support everything he does. Matter fact Show and HHH alwways gives respect to Rock in interviews.

[@RussellScottHD]

What BS and The Rock knows it. His match with Hogan in WM18 was awesome and one of the greatest wrestling moments of all time. Cena sucks.

[@ROCKETS2965]

+Russell Scott Riiighhhht. And Hogan didn't suck?

[@Chris-0622]

+K. Peake rock and cena got the biggest ppv buyrate in history.

[@zacharybrown3087]

you suck bitch learn to respect John Cena he's been doing this way too damn long

[@TBGoatPatsnation]

Russell Scott the rock sucks

[@sebidmanwrestling7536]

TB12Goat91 Patsnation shut up Hogan made wwe huge if it wasn't for Hogan wresting wed not be hear today and at mania 18 Hogan was a heel and got cheered and the rock got booed so shut up.

[@lilshar16]

oh my God he's absolutely flawless ♥

[@Freeloader_420]

His match with Hogan will always be bigger

[@bottomlinebsr7860]

maybe to us fans but rock & cena generated the biggest buyrate of all time with 80,000 in attendance

[@daddyaaron8034]

BottomLine BSR roman reigns vs hhh did 1,00,000

[@jayrob121]

As someone born in miami , a fan of THE U and a lifelong Rock fan, I'm glad he won this match, especially in his hometown. That being said what will happen to cena now that according to just about everybody he needed to win more than the rock did? Just curious.

[@kokujozoro618]

Stone Cold vs The rock anybody? Like no jokes this was the best wrestlemania.

[@carriebrooks2377]

Yassss

[@AlbertKSony]

Yes

[@daveorourke176]

Last time I checked Austin was the biggest draw in WWE history, so Hogan/Rock was not the biggest match at that time, Austin/Rock WM17 was...

[@Borisss953]

Cause of Stone Cold WWE won the WAR and carried the company to a new heaights,his badass charecter is just to great.

[@anthonyschuler7336]

Dave O Rourke There wouldn't be a Wrestlemania without Hogan

[@bottomlinebsr7860]

Rock is bigger, it's obvious

[@humbertoduran8664]

Captain Lobo Rock surpassed both in 2000.

[@humbertoduran8664]

Dave O Rourke Rock v Hogan are the two biggest stars ever bitch.

[@DirtyxDelmonico]

it wasnt. Rock/Hogan was poetry in motion

[@DjCp3o420]

The rock and Jeff Hardy where always my two favorite wrestlers.

[@carolynjohnson9524]

We're just glad he's free and being such an inspiration! Terry and John are blessed plus Steve ! Got a baby that loves this journey!)

[@tonyd3752]

Rock and Hogan I prefer because of that crowd, but Cena and The Rock was a better match, however if Hogan was in his prime, maybe a few years younger, I feel that match would be the better one.

[@aidanmcgrath911]

theres no way cena should be compared to rock...

[@jacob4690]

+Aidan McGrath Rock maybe one of the biggest stars but Cena has worked tirelessly for the company for over 10 years now right at the very top, doesn't deserve all the hate he gets

[@siunabidan6875]

If Cena would had came in Attitude Era he would be the biggest of all time, he would have surpassed even Austin

[@haydentenno8803]

@@siunabidan6875 you are mentally retarded if you think he could have surpassed Austin. Do you even know who Austin is? Cena couldnt even surpass a 40 year old rock on his way out of his career and Austin was battling with a young rock in his prime with mic skills, wrestling skills, challenges in the ring, ect Cena couldnt even keep up with the rock at wrestlemania, he had to slow the match down cause he cant wrestle like Austin or The rock. He hasn't faced anyone like that until that match All you see is submissions and long breaks in that match with the rock vs cena, watch the beginning to see cena get out of the ring, talk to the ref, and plan out the scripted moments of the match so they can tell the rock to slow down Austin skills still shits on cena to this day. If you look up the best promos, Austin is on that list They have to lift cena up on the pedal stool and let him get away with shit he couldnt in the attitude era Austin's promos weren't scripted like cena. He was really pissed and challenged to go out there and show what he has or he was fired WWE today isnt like how It was back then. Cena cant wrestle, no where near charismatic, and cant hold a good rivalry. He cant turn heel cause he know he will fail at it. Rock and Austin has been liked Heel and liked Face. Know your facts before selling lies

[@haydentenno8803]

@@siunabidan6875 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpu6gaKHjMmgoMk Austin dethrowned legends. Cena never have and cannot do that. Even if he did, he wouldnt be loved like Austin. Name one guy who have dethrowned a legend everyone loved and was able to smack talk him? Do your research man. Cena still hasn't surpassed Austin's career. Cena was just an addition to wrestling, Austin was needed

[@greato80]

..exactly..cena can have 100 title runs but will never be as great as Rock or Austin. Cena is a wwe made product to sell merch is all. Rock Austin made themselves into mega stars. Both had charisma to connect with people. Cena panders to people. Vince made sure no matter how boring simple cena style was hed win and made it a big deal. Give cena credit for memorizing lines well and work schedule..but no way is he greater than Rock or Austin.

[@al112v4]

I guess he had no choice but to say nice words and promote the event at that time, but I'm really sure, deep down in him, he considers that 'Mania X8 match one of the best of his career.

[@behnzofreestylekang8581]

This interview should have something to do with one of the wwe2k games and the rocks attire on this interview too and 2012 the rock with the goatee also Rocky Mavia and more Versions of the rock

[@domamania]

my top 5 guys of all times are as followed, Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock..

[@batmaneatspizza]

Then Flair

[@ervinramirez4549]

Hulk hogan made wwf what it is today

[@lm_ls4590]

true

[@KegOfMeat]

Must be one of their earliest interviews.

[@danathor99]

@ChristmasCreature Hogan didn't want to put Austin over though. And as big as Austin was (he was huge, obviously) The Rock was bigger in pop culture and mainstream, it was him who brought all the casual fans over to WWF/E

[@MnMs002]

Rock match was bigger with cena because Rock Broke His Pebble in that Match! LOL

[@JOHNN01.82]

my guess is the rock cena match had a whole year to build and hype the match up , and with that much hype it was always going to be a let down , just like the mayweather pacman fight

[@mentionnumbersbecauseyoune9701]

its really easy to tell he was trying to get in WWEs good graces by saying the john cena rock match was better. noone on the history of the planet will say a rock vs john cena match was better than wrestlemania 18

[@NiedheimAuthor]

is it bigger rock because the crowd at wrestlemania 18 started cheering hogan?

[@rrt1592]

Lakers fan > Hating bitch!

[@ghostspectre1861]

Nah, sorry. Hogan/Rock was the greatest match this Hogan fan ever saw. Rock worked his ass off to make Hogan look good. And Hogan played to the fans like they had all hoped.

[@mildredbonam4303]

My Baby..The Rock..altough he's married! ❤❤❤

[@mcaligariactivism]

LOL bigger than his match with Hogan🤣🤣 I wonder how much Vince paid him to say that! Rock v Hogan was orgasmic and should've main evented!

[@shaneomacdaddy]

Chris Jericho and Triple H even said that Hogan vs. The Rock should've been the main event, and I think 🤔that Batista vs. The Undertaker match for the World 🌎 Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 23 should've been the main event, also.

[@clavisolemgbe4124]

Bigger matches ever made 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤❤❤❤❤

[@robertoney1857]

The Rock is the victim of PG era, i thought I can give you my hope for bringing back the Attitude era, Rock

[@shaneomacdaddy]

Yeah, because Cena couldn't handle Attitude era Rock, and so he went crying 😢to Vince asking him to ask The Rock to tame it down, apparently.

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

rock vs hogan was probably biggest after hogan vs andre, rock talked like this just case wwe wanted to promote cena vs rock big,i remember when rock talked in 2010 09 that there cant be any match bigger than rock vs hogan, two biggest charismas and icons there was

[@MrMckevis]

Shoutout to 19 action news! Cleveland misses you!

[@sck_stitch]

With the facial hair that the rock has, I’m seeing similarities between him and Roman a LOT more than I do now. And this is my first time seeing this video

[@TimChanTV]

Austin Vs Rock WM 17..Texas...that IMO was the biggest of all time. any real wwF fans would remember the hype and the build up to that event (limp biskit My Way video)...and that match lived up to the hype cause of Austin's heel turn, big suprise. Rock/Cena is huge, but none like WM 17

[@Nate2764]

Either you can't hear very well or you've just never seen the match and base your opinion on nothing more than highlight reels. The Rock was nearly universally booed during his match with Hogan. At least they knew there that it was best to pass the torch, rather than let Hogan go over based solely on his celebrity status.

[@Freedomboy006]

rock hogan was an amazing match. great psychology , great improvisation . better crowd. as a story there aren’t many better matches than that even though from a technical wrestling standpoint is mediocre

[@badimamedov1701]

Rock 🤘🤘👊👊

[@TheCamsmit]

Wny cause Rocks in it. Rock can have a amazing match with ANYBODY. Your giving austin to much credit.

[@Clipperbossman]

12 years already man time flies

[@lipunjally5769]

Rock and Hogan are entertainment

[@MrAircraft999]

Undertaker Vs Steve Austin WM29!

[@christianhafer9819]

Hogan vs Rock was unbelievable. People still talk about it. No one talks Cena/Rock.

[@joshuasimber8588]

Lol well how else would he respond to that question? " nah this match is gonna blow, don't buy the ppv people..please don't waste your money."

[@damainmane7948]

I love The Rock,but let's be honest...Rock did not like Wrestlemania 18 because he thought he was gonna be the fan favorite,only to find out that racist Hogan was the most loved by the fans,despite still being nWo Hollywood...not gonna lie,8 years old, at the time I was still screaming nWo 4 life after WCW death...Rock had to be in his hometown for his pop at Wrestlemania to be fool proof...besides what main event match that The Rock was in when he did not say was gonna be "The biggest match of all time"...

[@TheNerdMan2]

Legend.

[@Tito_TG]

Man, LA Knight even stole Rock’s “UUUHHH” in between words lol

[@owan316]

Austin Vs The rock forever will be The greatest Wrestlemania Match of all times, Don't Lie to Yourself Rock.

[@balancer182]

He's just promoting the PPV.

[@oohgetmoney7993]

I find it fucked up that Sheamus won the royal rumble and DESERVED the right to MAIN EVENT wrestlemania but couldn't cause of the rock and John cena

[@marcushunter2565]

cm Punk was the wwe championship

[@dandude5196]

How did you get away with saying fuck? youtube always deletes mine

[@dobenito]

You Rock the Rock!

[@erikmunoz55]

The Rock vs Hogan Wm 18 > The Rock vs Austin Wm 17 (Spectacle wise) > Doink The Clown and Dink the Clown vs Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachan > Rock vs Lady Parts

[@ervinramirez4549]

Best match ever hulk hogan and ultimate warrior wrestle mania 6.

[@ChristmasCreature]

@danathor99 Yeah thats true; however, Austin made the most money for the company ever. His merchandise, the ratings, went up as he rose. The Rock most definitely is on the same level as Stone Cold as far as ratings are concerned but Austin did make more money in the company.

[@jorgeelprimo714]

Is the rock buzzed?

[@maxpayne1290]

Rocky is the man hope he is at wm 30.

[@ChristmasCreature]

Biggest match of all time in terms of legendary would be Austin vs Hogan

[@batmaneatspizza]

Never happened

[@personalopinion8911]

Damn all the haters in the comment section.

[@TheRock-su3qz]

Yeah, fuck them

[@christiansontz2289]

The Rock vs John Cena 100%

[@vicenteservantesservices9446]

The rock awesome

[@beenontopdraftpick]

The Rock vs The Undertaker at WM would’ve been a huge draw. Icon vs Icon.

[@shyamramraj4299]

The rock looks much better with his french beard.I dont know why he is having a clean shave look.He is getting older

[@TrideepNagg]

Yeah he looks better with beard when bald

[@HarmandeepSingh-zc3bm]

the biggest match of all time will always be Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker Wreslemania 25!

[@66lovely]

Wrestlemania 17 the rock vs Austin 3:16 is the greatest match of all time

[@owan316]

Totally Agreed, I don't know Why in this interview Say HOgan Vs Rock or Cena Vs Rock became the greatest is Obviusly because of the Hype, but For Sure Austin Vs The rock always will be the greatest Wrestlemania Matches of all tmes, Specially (Wrestlemania 17 Match), even the rock Admits that the his greatest matches always was with Stone cold.

[@teabagforever]

the greatest mach in wrestlemania was rock vs austin and hbk vs triple h vs chris benoit and undertaker vs shawn michelas

[@A-Pro100]

i want a rock vs brock part 2 for wrestlemania 29......and cena will be the ring announcer ;P

[@Randymountaine]

rocks a pretty good dude ay, real relaxed and jokin around

[@6Kstunna]

I ❤ Rock!

[@dixonmixin10]

Don't get me wrong I love Rock but Shawn/Taker at WM25 was and probably always will be the greatest match of all time.

[@GamingPalooza]

The Rock = Huge Star Hulk Hogan = Huge Star / Legend The Cena = Over Rated P.O.S When you combine Hogan and Rock together, you have electricity at it's highest level. When you combine Cena and Rock together, you have 15 thousand people chanting for Rock while Cena stands there and looks stupid.

[@Fifa155]

Undertaker Austin, this wille be Bigger.

[@alonshuster22]

the biggest Warstlemania is the rock vs brock lesnar in Warstlemania 33 and the rock vs the undertaker in Warstlemania 34

[@PAPITOFLOW6969]

none are gonna happen bruh

[@therealjonpaw]

Rock was booed out of the building the whole match at wm18 until the very end they finally cheered.

[@robertalexander1178]

Julio Paul McClurgle people's elbow

[@sonnykeita4287]

the rock vs hulk hogan is epic

[@jesseinfinite]

The biggest match is still gonna be Rock Austin at Wrestlemania 17.

[@J5Howa]

Dude he was referring to the Rock-Cena rivalry

[@JL90s]

austin and rock wm 17 was bigger than rock an hogan wm 18 now looking back hogan n rock sounds bigger but at the time rock austin was at there peak it was wayyy bigger an fans wanted that more just to see who was better... if you was a fan watching in those years you should agree

[@81kasen01]

Hogan/rock was and will be bigger

[@Krokodilius]

Rock-Austin>Rock-Hogan>Rock-Cena

[@xavierjuarez6180]

at 4:06 the guy holding the mic should have said "what?"

[@Travel901z]

Hulk hogan ultimate warrior was the pinacle of wrestling matches there wil never be the greatest match ever

[@BdeJJG]

not even.

[@iv9449]

In terms of Glitz and glammer, it's the biggest match in terms of two greats who defined their generations. Cena made WWE mainstream mainstream in the 2000s. The way it was so big Undertaker's/Orton/Triple H/Batista/Edge became Giants during that time. Look Cena and Orton is not active it lost its edge.

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

WHEN RETURN TO WWE I HAVE SEE HIM SINCE APRIL OF 2013 ?

[@derekvaunt]

rock tore his quad doing this interview

[@drodge72]

@clfritz1982 i think right around 40 minutes if u include entrances! 10 minutes of entrances, 5 minutes stare down and 25 minutes of action

[@Nate2764]

Regardless, that's how it happened. You can't say "Cena got booed because he's stoopid" when the majority of fans were siding with Hogan in 2002.

[@spellbreaker022]

this is so disrespectful to stone cold steve austin ..how can u discuss biggest match of all time at wm without steve austins name ..impossible

[@damainmane4765]

Hogan vs Rock gave us Hulkamania again and heel Rock Cena vs Rock gave us.....a climax that really went nowhere

[@optimusfrog719]

austin is 2:1 against rock in WM, why do they call the rock the best wrestler of all time

[@CarterMvp]

Most people will agree that HBK and Flair are known to be greatest of all time. However, Rock is up there in the top five due to his overall in ring ability and mic work. He had the look, athleticism, solid ring work which required speed, strength and power. His promos were the best at the time and unique. HBK, Flair, Rock and Austin made strong mic skills a huge attribute to have in order to become a main eventer. That's why Rock is known to be one of the greatest, not because he lost at Mania.....Because guess what creative controls winners and losers............

[@FootballAction123]

The Rock put Austin over. He could've won their second WM match (as he was bigger at that time) but for some reason Austin won which was stupid as Rock was the face of the company and Austin just came back from a neck injury 3 months before.

[@Chrisjones-dg4ih]

+Optimus Frog lol. What an idiot you are. Wrestling/wins are a work, u fucktard.

[@bryanmmusic]

Wins and losses don't mean shit! This is "pro wrestling", not MMA

[@KINGDADDYPRESTIGE]

Because he is.

[@alonshuster22]

and the team wwe 1 that i want is the rock and undertaker and brock lesnar and goldberg and hbk vs team number 2 that triple h and john cena and kane and big show and mark henri and randy orton

[@pavelradev1990]

The Rock looks super different with a beard and winter clothes. Weird.