The two WWE legends faced each other in epic main events at both WrestleMania 28 and 29 a decade ago and clashed plenty of times on the mic over that period, with Cena criticising The Rock for leaving wrestling for Hollywood.
Of course, the Peacemaker star has ended up taking that same route, although he did return to the ring on SmackDown in December to keep his record of having a match every year since his 2002 debut.
Their feud has been the subject of any episode of WWE Rivals in the US this week, and Cena took the time to reflect on that time, as well as the way he grew through working with Dwayne.
‘Relive this epic @WWE rivaly thru those who lived it. I wouldnt be who I am 2day w/o @TheRock. Professionally & personally (sic),’ he tweeted.
‘He challenged me, demanded my best, forced me to address my flaws w/ the world watching! Respect is a core value for me… this took it to new level!’
Cena previously admitted in a Q&A that he was ‘stupid’ to call The Rock a sellout for making moves in Hollywood, but it was the way he saw things at the time.
‘It was stupid of me. It genuinely was. That was my perspective at the time,’ he explained. ‘For me to not be able to see Dwayne’s vision on what he wanted to do personally, and how his personal success could affect a growing global brand, that was just ignorant on my part.’
The wrestler turned actor added: ‘I’m very thankful to Dwayne Johnson. His success has gotten me a lot of opportunities that I’m extremely thankful for, and certainly wouldn’t have without him.’
Meanwhile, Cena will be back on WWE television tonight when Monday Night Raw comes to Boston just weeks before WrestleMania 39 goes Hollywood.
It’s not clear exactly what he’ll be doing on the show, but all signs put to a potential rivalry with the current United States Champion, Austin Theory.
WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on BT Sport.
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