WWE WrestleMania 28 Press Conference Report: Rock Endorses Punk, Rock-Cena Staredown

Below is a recap of today’s WrestleMania 28 press conference in Miami. The main highlights were:

* The Rock endorsed CM Punk in Punk’s match against Chris Jericho. Punk has, of course, been very harsh on the Rock in the media in recent weeks.

* Rock said it will be “an honor” to face John Cena on Sunday. The two had a staredown before the Rock playfully patted Cena on the stomach and walked off.

Here’s the full report:

WrestleMania 28 press conference recap
March 28, 2012
Miami, Fla.
Report by James Caldwell & PWTorch

Pre-Conference

The press conference started with a video package previewing The Undertaker vs. Triple H, with WWE Legends talking about the match.

At the press conference setting, Josh Mathews and Matt Striker talked about Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy before bringing in David Otunga and Santino for a debate. Otunga said WWE hasn’t seen a physique like his since Ravishing Rick Rude.

Next was a video package on the Rock-Cena feud that played Monday night during the Rock-Cena feud. Back live, Mathews and Striker played the “non-buyer’s remorse” card, saying you don’t want to have to tell people you missed the moment when Rock and Cena collided at WrestleMania. The Miz then crashed the interview set to complain about being over-looked. He added a line about him being the only person people will be talking about after Mania.

Begin Press Conference

Michael Cole introduced the show and said millions are watching this press conference online right now. Cole set up the event, then introduced Jose Diaz, the Commissioner of Miami-Dade County. After offering some pleasantries, Diaz welcomed up WWE executive John Saboor, who talked up Diaz and WrestleMania in Miami.

Saboor transitioned to describing Mania Weekend events, including slipping on Edge’s name by calling him “The Edge” when listing Hall of Fame inductees. Saboor then brought out Triple H to join them in a photo-op and presentation announcing March 28 through April 2 as WrestleMania 28 Week. Saboor was also given a key to the county.

Next, Triple H spoke at the podium, thanking Miami for “rolling out the red carpet” for WWE. Hunter quipped that since he has a key to the county now, he’ll be keeping it open late tonight for a good time. Hunter transitioned to promoting the Mania PPV and noting talent has a chance to become part of history. He then listed WWE’s events in Miami this week to “benefit this community.” Hunter transitioned into promo mode, claiming he will put an end to The Streak at WrestleMania.

Michael Cole returned to the podium to talk up WWE’s Social Media activity. Cole then brought up participants in the Team Teddy vs. Team Long match, including Kofi Kingston, David Otunga, The Miz, Santino, and Ricardo Rodriguez. Various media members seemed thrown off by wrestlers randomly snapping photos of them to demonstrate Twitter.

Back to Cole, who welcomed out Mike Pouncey, representing the Miami Dolphins. After Pouncey shared a few words, Cole welcomed out Divas champion Beth Phoenix and Eve to discuss their Divas tag match against Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos at WrestleMania. Cole kept the Divas theme going by bringing out Rosa Mendes to discuss WrestleMania in Miami in Spanish.

Cole then got serious by introducing WWE champion C.M. Punk, who emerged off-stage sporting a t-shirt and jeans with possession of the WWE Title belt. Punk then set up his title belt on the podium and noted he was wearing a suit earlier and decided to take it off because it’s too hot. Punk noted 100 countries are going to watch him kick Chris Jericho’s ass at WrestleMania. He then apologized for Cole boring them all to death before noting John Laurinaitis is not here. His material was not working in front of an uninformed audience. Punk then said he’s excited to be in Miami before cutting a promo on Jericho. Punk then hyped Undertaker-Hunter and Rock-Cena, which he called a human cockfight. Punk got one reaction and thanked the audience for being so excited about Mania. Punk teased taking his t-shirt off, which turned into an auction. He was given the hook, cutting off his chance to score $100 for taking off his t-shirt.

Next out was John Cena sporting a Rise Above t-shirt, jean shorts, and shoes. Cena talked up the enormity of WrestleMania, etc., before saying it gets really intimate at times. Cena shared a story about inviting his Make-a-Wish friend from Cleveland Raw a few weeks ago to WrestleMania. Cena then played up waiting seven years to finally face The Rock in a WWE match.

Cole introduced The Rock next, noting he will be known as “Roadblock” in the G.I. Joe movie coming out in June. Rock, with his larger-than-life persona, then came out in jeans and a black two-button shirt. Rock said he’s excited about competing at Mania, then talked about his family’s history in the wrestling business. Rock transitioned to hyping Cena as the best opponent he could face at Mania.

“It’s going to be an honor for me to step in the ring with Cena on Sunday,” Rock said. Rock then endorsed the rest of the roster trying to put on a once-in-a-lifetime performance, specifically what C.M. Punk is going to do in the ring with Chris Jericho. Rock then went back to his Miami roots and said being able to come back for Mania is one of the most meaningful things that has happened in his life. Rock entered promo mode, noting he will give Cena the “Hurricane ass-kicking of a lifetime.”

Rock flashed his smile to change the mood, then requested Cena come out for a face-to-face. After the podium was moved, Cena came out on-stage to go face-to-face. Cena did a fighting pose to match Rock sticking out his chin to intimidate Cena. Rock then ended the staredown with a smile and pat to Cena’s gut before walking off-stage. Cena flashed a quizzical look to wrap up the press conference.

They went back to Matt Striker and Josh Mathews at the back of the press conference to wrap up the press conference, which went 50 minutes.

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