A Complete Guide To This WWE Feud
Highlights
- CM Punk's feud with The Rock started with his explosive pipebomb promo in 2011.
- The Rock challenged CM Punk for the WWE Championship at the 2013 Royal Rumble.
- The Rock defeated CM Punk and reclaimed the WWE Championship, ending Punk's historic reign.
In the tumultuous world of professional wrestling, rivalries often define eras and leave an indelible mark on the sport's rich tapestry. One such epic clash that resonates through the annals of WWE history is the fierce feud between Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and the rebellious CM Punk. Originating from Punk's explosive pipebomb promo on Raw in 2011, where no one, not even The Rock, was spared from his verbal onslaught, the confrontation escalated in 2013 with the coveted WWE Championship at stake. What unfolded was a dramatic narrative of power, betrayal, and resilience, etching a compelling chapter that captivated fans and eternally solidified the legacy of these two iconic figures in the squared circle.
CM Punk's Feud With The Rock Began With His Pipebomb Promo
The Rock Challenged CM Punk For The WWE Championship At The 2013 Royal Rumble
The intense feud between The Rock and CM Punk traces its roots back to Punk's infamous pipebomb promo in 2011, where he criticized WWE management and even took a shot at The Rock, insinuating that Rock owed his success to Vince McMahon's favoritism. Fast-forward to 2013 where, during Punk's historic 434-day WWE Championship reign, The Rock made a surprise appearance at RAW 1000, challenging Punk for the title at the Royal Rumble, which later led to Punk giving him a GTS. The ensuing promo battles included The Rock's "Cookie P*ss" remark and Punk's iconic line about how The Rock's, "arms are too short to box with God." The Rock delivered a Rock Bottom to Punk setting up for their Royal Rumble clash.
CM Punk Vs The Rock: 10 Things WWE Fans Should Know About Their Feud
The Rock put together a memorable storyline against CM Punk during the last run of his WWE career.The Rock Defeated CM Punk For The WWE Championship
The Rock And CM Punk Had A Rematch At Elimination Chamber 2013
CM Punk vs The Rock | Winner | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Royal Rumble 2013 | The Rock | 23:17 |
Elimination Chamber 2013 | The Rock | 20:55 |
Royal Rumble 2013 was a pivotal moment in the Rock vs. CM Punk saga, as their WWE Championship match took precedence over the traditional Royal Rumble match itself. The anticipation reached its zenith as The Rock aimed to dethrone CM Punk from his historic 434-day championship reign. The match unfolded as a classic Rock encounter, with Punk, playing the role of the cunning heel, gaining the upper hand early on. The Rock, resilient as ever, endured a barrage of attacks, patiently biding his time for a comeback. The climax neared, with The Rock building momentum and closing in on a potential victory. As The Rock prepared to deliver a finishing blow, the arena plunged into darkness. The ominous blackout signaled the arrival of The Shield, a faction affiliated with CM Punk at the time. Seizing the opportunity, The Shield executed a triple powerbomb on The Rock, sending him crashing through the announce table. In the chaos that ensued, Punk capitalized on the Shield's interference and pinned The Rock, seemingly securing his WWE Championship. The moment was met with shock and controversy, as the lights had conveniently gone out, and the referee appeared oblivious to the interference.
Just when it seemed Punk had cemented his victory, Vince McMahon stormed to the stage. McMahon, outraged by The Shield's interference, declared the match null and void and ordered a restart. The Rock, undeterred and fueled by determination, faced Punk once again. In a climactic moment, The Rock delivered a thunderous People's Elbow, securing the pinfall victory and, more importantly, reclaiming the WWE Championship, ending Punk's historic reign. A lot of fans weren't happy with the decision, but it was done.
Their feud didn't conclude at Royal Rumble; instead, it extended to the Elimination Chamber, where another chapter unfolded in their rivalry. Before the event, a heated confrontation on RAW saw Punk physically stealing the WWE Championship from The Rock, setting the stage for their rematch at Elimination Chamber. The match mirrored their Royal Rumble encounter, with Punk dominating initially, but The Rock, once again, overcoming the odds to secure the victory, ultimately bringing an end to their epic feud.
Video: The Rock Calls CM Punk From The Ring After RAW Goes Off The Air
The Rock went with the crowd's chants and actually called Punk from the ring!CM Punk Speaks About Working With The Rock
The Rock's Promo Plans Made CM Punk Uncomfortable
In a 2021 Starrcast interview, CM Punk shed light on working with The Rock. Punk revealed that planning their promos involved a Hollywood-style table read, as Punk was called to meet The Rock and his team in The Rock's hotel room where every step of the promo on RAW was planned. He said:
“I remember somebody I didn’t know from his team walking up to me and handing me my promo, and I feel like it was a Hollywood kind of setting, like they were doing a table read. This is how this dude operates, but this is me, and this is how I operate. Me and him had kind of a one-on-one conversation in a crowded room, which is f*ckin’ uncomfortable. I think he respected the fact that I wasn’t backing down, I wasn’t refusing to do anything, but just like, ‘Hey, could we maybe do this a different way?’ He was great, and he was fun to work with, and I liked working with him.”
Now that CM Punk and The Rock are both back in WWE, it'll be interesting to see where their history will lead them.
