Editing Dwayne Johnson (section)

==== Feud with John Cena (2011–2013) ====
[[File:The rock en WM !!!!.jpg|thumb|upright|The Rock in the ring as [[WrestleMania XXVII]] host, April 2011]]
On February 14, 2011, The Rock was announced as the host of [[WrestleMania XXVII]] on April 3, 2011, appearing live on ''Raw'' for the first time in almost seven years. During a lengthy promo, he addressed the fans and started a feud with [[John Cena]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1512427-john-cenas-fruity-pebbles-cookiepuss-and-other-unflattering-wwe-nicknames |title=John Cena's Fruity Pebbles, Cookie Puss and Other Unflattering WWE Nicknames |first=Alfred |last=Konuwa |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125042626/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1512427-john-cenas-fruity-pebbles-cookiepuss-and-other-unflattering-wwe-nicknames |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/15/17278316.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016212345/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2011/02/15/17278316.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=Raw: Finally, The Rock has returned to WWE |last=Bishop |first=Matt |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> After numerous appearances via satellite, The Rock appeared live on the ''Raw'' before WrestleMania XXVII to confront Cena. After he and Cena exchanged insults, [[The Miz]] and [[Alex Riley]] appeared and attacked The Rock; he fended off Miz and Riley, only for Cena to blindside him with an ''[[Fireman's carry takeover|Attitude Adjustment]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/28/17788296.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715004938/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/28/17788296.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |title=Raw: One last push toward Wrestlemania |last=Plummer |first=Dale |date=March 28, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2012 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]] }}</ref>

[[File:Rock and Cena shake hands.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Rock and [[John Cena]] (left) on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', agreeing to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]] one year in advance]]
On April 3, at WrestleMania XXVII, The Rock opened the show by cutting a promo. After appearing in numerous backstage segments, The Rock came to ringside to restart the [[main event]] between Cena and The Miz as a No Disqualification match, after it had ended in a double countout. As revenge for the ''Attitude Adjustment'' Cena had given him on ''Raw'', The Rock hit Cena with the ''Rock Bottom'', allowing The Miz to pin him and retain the WWE Championship. After the match, The Rock attacked The Miz and hit him with the ''People's Elbow''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania27/2011/04/03/17863646.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016212345/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania27/2011/04/03/17863646.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=The Rock costs Cena retained the championship at WrestleMania XXVII |date=April 3, 2011 |last=Bishop |first=Matt |access-date=April 4, 2011 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', The Rock and Cena agreed to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]] the next year. They then worked together to fend off an attack by [[The Corre]], which at the time consisted of [[Wade Barrett]], [[Heath Slater]], [[Justin Gabriel]], and [[Ezekiel Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_49042.shtml |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw results 4/4: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Raw – The Rock & Austin live, fall-out from WrestleMania 27, Sin Cara debut |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-date=April 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408123358/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_49042.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Rock appeared live on ''Raw'' in his hometown of Miami to celebrate his 39th birthday.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2011/05/02/18095156.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723040347/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2011/05/02/18095156.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |title=Raw: Happy Birthday Rock |last=Plummer |first=Dale |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]] |access-date=May 3, 2011 |date=May 2, 2011}}</ref> On September 16, WWE announced The Rock would wrestle in a traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series tag team match, teaming with Cena at [[Survivor Series (2011)|Survivor Series]] in November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2011/the-rock-to-appear-at-survivor-series |title=The Rock to appear in Survivor Series tag team match |publisher=[[WWE]] |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=December 29, 2011 |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221043527/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2011/the-rock-to-appear-at-survivor-series |url-status=live }}</ref> But on the October 24 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', Cena instead suggested The Rock be his partner in a standard tag team match against The Miz and [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]], a team called [[Awesome Truth]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Stephens |first=David |title=Raw Results – 10/24/11 |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1319512277 |publisher=Wrestleview |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126183912/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1319512277 |archive-date=January 26, 2012}}</ref> which Rock agreed to the next week.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stephens |first=David |title=Raw Results – 10/31/11 |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1320118468 |publisher=Wrestleview |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207082859/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1320118468 |archive-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref> On November 14, during the special ''Raw Gets Rocked'', The Rock appeared live, delivering ''Rock Bottom''s to Mick Foley, who had been hosting a "This Is Your Life"-style segment for Cena, and later both members of Awesome Truth.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stephens |first=David |title=Raw Results – 11/14/11 |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1321330953 |publisher=Wrestleview |access-date=April 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115034408/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1321330953 |archive-date=January 15, 2012}}</ref> The Rock and Cena defeated Awesome Truth on November 20 at Survivor Series, when The Rock pinned The Miz. After the match, The Rock gave Cena a ''Rock Bottom''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Adam |title=WWE Survivor Series: The Rock and John Cena vs. The Miz and R-Truth |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/pbp/317.php |publisher=Wrestleview |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103170248/http://www.wrestleview.com/pbp/317.php |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:The Rock celebrating Wrestlemania 28 b.jpg|thumb|upright|The Rock celebrating his victory at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]], April 2012]]
Leading up to WrestleMania, The Rock and Cena had several verbal confrontations on ''Raw SuperShow''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 2/27: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – The Rock returns to Raw, WM28 hype |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_58604.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401085448/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_58604.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/12: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Rock Concert vs. Cena Rap, Taker returns |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59046.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415074042/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59046.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On the March 12, 2012, episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', The Rock hosted his first "Rock Concert" segment since 2004, mocking Cena in his songs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/26: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – final WM28 hype, Cena-Rock & Hunter-HBK confrontation |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59548.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330200744/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59548.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 1, at WrestleMania XXVIII, The Rock defeated Cena in the main event after countering Cena's attempt at a ''People's Elbow'' into a ''Rock Bottom'' and pinning Cena.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE WrestleMania 28 PPV Report 4/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Rock-Cena, Taker-Hunter, Punk-Jericho |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_59831.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 2, 2012 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330170241/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_59831.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> This event broke the record for biggest professional wrestling pay-per-view buyrate. The following night on ''Raw SuperShow'', The Rock praised Cena, calling their match "an honor". He then vowed to once again become WWE Champion.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/2: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – WM28 fall-out, how will Cena respond to Rock loss?, two big title matches |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59548.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330200744/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_59548.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 23, at ''[[WWE Raw 1000|Raw 1000]]'', The Rock announced he would wrestle for the WWE Championship at the [[Royal Rumble (2013)|Royal Rumble]] pay-per-view. During the show, he encountered then-reigning WWE Champion [[CM Punk]], [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]], and John Cena, all of whom expressed a desire to face him. The Rock later saved Cena from an assault by [[Big Show]], only to be laid out by CM Punk.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 7/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw No. 999 – WWE recognizes 1,000 episodes, WWE Title match, Lesnar, Rock, DX, wedding |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_63621.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306062051/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_63621.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On the January 7, 2013, episode of ''Raw'', The Rock returned to confront his Royal Rumble opponent CM Punk.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 1/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – WWE Title match, The Rock returns, Cena vs. Ziggler (updated w/Box Score) |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_67712.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=January 13, 2013 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403011528/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_67712.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 11, he made his first ''SmackDown'' appearance in ten years, getting into an altercation with Team Rhodes Scholars, resulting in him delivering a ''Rock Bottom'' to [[Damien Sandow]] and a ''People's Elbow'' to [[Cody Rhodes]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Smackdown Results 1/11: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of The Rock's big return, new World Champ crowned (updated w/Box Score) |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwesmackdownreport/article_67812.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=January 13, 2013 |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115041309/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwesmackdownreport/article_67812.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock closed out the 20th-anniversary episode of ''Raw'', on January 14, with one of his "Rock Concerts", leading to a brawl with CM Punk.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_67875.shtml |title=PWTorch.com – Parks's WWE Raw Report 1/14: Complete "virtual time" coverage of the 20th Anniversary of Raw, including Rock Concert, Divas Title Match |website=Pwtorch.com}}</ref> The following week on ''Raw'', The Rock was attacked by [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]]. Vince McMahon then asserted that if The Shield attacked the Rock in his title match with CM Punk, Punk would be stripped of the WWE Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/the-shield-attack-the-rock-raw-jan-21-2013-26086012 |title=WWE videos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125141540/http://www.wwe.com/videos/the-shield-attack-the-rock-raw-jan-21-2013-26086012 |archive-date=January 25, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Rock revealed his title.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Rock revealing the brand new WWE Championship design on ''[[WWE Raw]]'', February 2013]]
On January 27, at the [[Royal Rumble (2013)|Royal Rumble]], CM Punk would seemingly defeat The Rock after the arena lights went out and someone attacked The Rock. Vince McMahon then came out and was about to strip Punk of the championship, however, at The Rock's request, he instead restarted the match. This culminated in The Rock defeating Punk to win his eighth WWE Championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's WWE Royal Rumble PPV Results 1/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Punk vs. Rock, 30-man Rumble |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_68181.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=February 18, 2013 |last=Caldwell |first=James |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171417/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_68181.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Punk received a title rematch with The Rock, at [[Elimination Chamber (2013)|Elimination Chamber]] on February 17, 2013, with the added stipulation that if The Rock was disqualified or counted out, he would still lose the [[WWE Championship]]. The Rock would pin Punk to defeat him and retain the championship.<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=WWE News: Chamber PPV results & notes – WM29 main event set, World Title match set, Shield big win, more |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_68728.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623100250/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_68728.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The following night on ''Raw'', The Rock unveiled a new WWE Championship design, with a different center plate and removable customizable side-plates which had his "Brahma Bull" logo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock unveiled the new WWE Title |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-02-18/wwe-raw-results-26092607/page-13 |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511000614/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-02-18/wwe-raw-results-26092607/page-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock then resumed his rivalry with John Cena, who won that year's Royal Rumble to set up a rematch of the previous WrestleMania match between the two at [[WrestleMania 29]], only this time with the WWE Championship on the line.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live "Old-School Raw" – Taker returns, Rock-Cena in-ring confrontation, WM29 hype, more |website=Pwtorch.com |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926122510/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69509.shtml |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/25: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Rock returns for Q&A debate with Cena, Hunter punts Barrett, latest WM29 hype |website=Pwtorch.com |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010103/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69509.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 7, at WrestleMania 29, The Rock lost the WWE Championship to Cena, ending his reign at 70 days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_69830.shtml |title=Caldwell's WWE Wrestlemania 29 PPV Results: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from MetLife Stadium – Rock-Cena II, Taker-Punk, Lesnar-Hunter, more |website=Pwtorch.com |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010032/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_69830.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite being advertised for ''Raw'' after WrestleMania, where it was stated that The Rock was still entitled a rematch for the WWE Championship,<ref>{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/8: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – WM29 fall-out, new World Champ, no Rock, Taker live, crowd takes over |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69884.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=August 3, 2013 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403092537/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69884.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock did not appear because of a real injury sustained during his match with Cena, in which his [[Muscles of the Torso|abdominal]] and [[Adductor muscles of the hip|adductor]] [[tendon]]s tore from his [[Human pelvis#Abdomen|pelvis]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE News: New update on Rock's WrestleMania injury |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_69934.shtml |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=August 3, 2013 |archive-date=July 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727013537/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_69934.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnson underwent surgery on April 23 to reattach the torn tendons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/You/Archive/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-undergoes-successful-surgery-20170728 |title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson undergoes successful surgery |date=April 25, 2013 |website=News24 |access-date=April 25, 2019 |archive-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422205210/https://www.news24.com/You/Archive/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-undergoes-successful-surgery-20170728 |url-status=live }}</ref> Post surgery, it made his abdomen look far less muscular than the rest of his body, notably his arms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Landsverk |first=Gabby |title=The Rock says he doesn't have a six-pack, but he weighs his food and lifts weights to sculpt his 'five-and-a-half-pack' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-six-pack-abs-wrestling-injury-2021-8 |access-date=February 15, 2024 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>