John Cena Says The Rock Calling CM Punk Last Week Was Him Connecting ‘As The People’s Champion’
Last week after Monday Night Raw went off the air, The Rock decided to call CM Punk… while standing in the middle of the WWE squared circle.
John Cena recently was asked about that call, when he was interviewed by Sports Illustrated as part of its "Extra Mustard" feature.
The Rock was at Raw to film scenes for the movie, Fighting With My Family, which is being filmed by The Rock's production company and is a biopic based on Paige and the other pro wrestlers in her brood. The Rock responded to the chants by calling Punk–a call that went to voicemail.
"That’s what’s made him so successful," Cena said. “His instincts, his ability to do an about-face to the establishment, that’s what allows him to connect as ‘The People’s Champion’. Once again, I think his biggest accomplishment is to be one of the bricks that break the wall of the stereotype that we have.”
Cena also credited The Rock for breaking those stereotypes, making the transition from a full-time WWE schedule to the world of entertainment where, last year, he topped Forbes' list of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
"I don’t blame anyone for thinking the way that they do, and I’m sure they would classify a football player as a football player and nothing more, but nowadays, especially with athletics, and sports entertainment certainly falling under that umbrella under certain circumstances, it’s just about creating and managing brands," Cena added. "When you have a very versatile brand, like the WWE, its performers are gifted with a lot more than just what you see on television."
Cena and The Rock have had a checkered history in WWE. They faced off in the main event of consecutive WrestleManias, splitting those two matches. Last year at WrestleMania, Cena, who still was working his way back from an injury, made a surprise appearance to help The Rock fend off the Wyatt Family.
