Date: March 25th, 2013
We are LIVE in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler
________________________________________________
CM Punk comes out with Paul Heyman and heads to the ring. Heyman has the urn in his hands. They enter the ring. Heyman chucks the urn at Punk. He puts it down at his feet.
Punk: They say that The Undertaker’s undefeated streak will never be beaten. They say that this “dead man” is unstoppable on the grandest stage of them all. They say that this here urn somehow feeds The Undertaker power and is connect to him in representation of his spirit. They certainly have a lot of opinions. They certainly say a lot of stupid things. And who are THEY, Paul? Do THEY really know what THEY are talking about? I don’t think that they do. In fact I know that they don’t. Everybody has opinions, but the only opinion that matters is when it becomes indisputable fact like mine. Let me explain. The Undertaker last year went 20-0. Think about it. Twenty times he came to the ring and twenty times he dispatched his enemies. It should’ve ended there. It should’ve ended with him Triple H and Shawn Michaels skipping off in the sunset. But then Taker came out on my show and pointed at my sign. And now because of his actions, WrestleMania is being rewritten by a man who is not phased by his undefeated streak. It’s being rewritten by the best in the world.
He picks the urn up.
Punk: You can boo me all you want, but blame The Undertaker for this because it’s his fault. This urn, I did not take to disrespect Paul Bearer. I took it for what it means to The Undertaker, and it doesn’t mean a damn thing to me. Just like Taker’s streak. Taker is a MAN who does not possess anything that I want. The only think I want to do is break it. But now I have something that The Undertaker does want. And for the first time in his life he is at a psychological disadvantage and he is scared. Coming back against any other man and he would have been 21-0. 30-0. Hell he could’ve gone 50-0, but I am not just any superstar. I am CM Punk. There is nobody in the world better or smarter than me, and there’s nobody in the world who will beat me at WrestleMania. I am the 1 in 20-1. So here I am, Philadelphia! I’m waiting. I’m waiting for the lights to go out, for that chill to enter the ring, and i’m waiting for rest in peace because rest is something I have never afforded and peace is something I never lived with. At WrestleMania Undertaker, you and your streak will…
He gets on one knee.
Punk: Rest…in…peace.
BONG!
The lights go out. Seconds later they come back on. Undertaker appears in the ring! He attacks Punk and punches him in the corner. Taker with a strong right and Punk falls out of the ring. Heyman grabs the fallen urn and runs to the back. Punk runs up the ramp. Heyman gives Punk back the turn. Punk holds it up while Undertaker looks on in anger.
Tonight, Rock and John Cena will take part in a Q&A with WWE Hall of Famers on the panel.
Also tonight, Fandango debuts..maybe.
[Commercial]
Fandango comes out and dances on stage with his female companion before heading to the ring. He grabs a mic.
Fandango: Faaaan….daaaan…
Fandango is interrupted by Chris Jericho’s entrance! Jericho runs down to the ring and tackles Fandango. Jericho with right hands and chops to the chest. He whips Fandango into the ropes and Fandango slips out of the ring. He retreats to the back. This was NOT the scheduled match. Jericho yells at him to get back in the ring.
In his place, Dolph Ziggler comes out with AJ Lee and Big E. Langston. Jericho will take on Ziggler right now!
[Match 1]
[Singles Match]
[Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler w/AJ Lee & Big E. Langston]
Bell sounds. They circle each other and Jericho with a tackle and punches. He whips Ziggler and lands a back elbow to the face. Jericho grabs Ziggler and hits a suplex. Jericho with rights to the head. Another whip, and Ziggler with a kick to the face followed by a right haymaker. He goes for another punch, but Jericho counters with chops. Whip, whip reversed, leapfrog from Ziggler and Jericho catches him. He goes for the Walls, but Ziggler counters out of it. Before he can do anything Jericho knocks him down, climbs the turnbuckle and hits a cross body off the top for two.
[Commercial]
Jericho with rights to Ziggler. He catches him in a roll up for two. They get up and Ziggler with a dropkick. He covers and gets a two count. Ziggler waits for Jericho to get up at the turnbuckle. Ziggler with a running splash. Ziggler nudges Jericho’s head with his foot. As Jericho gets up he lands a couple chops. Off the ropes and Ziggler with a knee to the gut followed by an abdominal stretch. Jericho powers out of it and hip tosses Ziggler off him. Jericho at the corner again. Ziggler goes for another splash but he misses. Jericho with two shoulder tackles. Ziggler tries to throw him out of the ring but Jericho gets on the apron, climbs to the top and lands a double axe handle. Jericho with a whip. Ziggler counters and Jericho with a boot to the face followed b a running bulldog. Langston gets on the apron and Jericho springboard dropkicks him off. He turns around and Ziggler with an implant DDT for two. Ziggler goes for the sleeper, but Jericho grabs the ropes. Jericho knocks Ziggler back a bit. He then goes for the Walls of Jericho and he locks it in. Ziggler has no choice but to tap.
[Winner via Submission: Chris Jericho]
[Time: 08:53]
Langston enters the ring and attacks Jericho from behind. He picks Jericho up and delivers the Big Ending. Ziggler, AJ and Langston leave the ring. Fandango comes back out and enters the ring with his companion. They enter the ring and dance next to Jericho mocking him. Before he leaves Fandango grabs him by the head and nails him with lefts and rights while shouting “What’s my name?!” Fandango climbs up the turnbuckle and delivers a flying leg drop. He grabs a mic.
Fandango: It’s Faaan…daaan…gooo!
Fandango exits the ring and heads to the back.
Tonight we’ll see a preview of the Triple H/Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania.
[Commercial]
Sheamus is backstage with Striker.
Striker: Sheamus, i’d like yo show you what happened on Smackdown.
A video shows of last week on Smackdown when during a six man tag match Big Show, Sheamus and Orton nearly coming to blows until The Shield came out.
Striker: Sheamus, have you and Orton been able to bury the hatchet with Show?
Sheamus: At the beginning I didn’t trust Show like Orton did. Then when all three of us were in the ring I realized that-
The Shield runs in and take Sheamus down! They stomp on him over and over again. Orton then runs over and smacks one of them with a chair. He gets attacked as well until Big Show runs over and forces The Shield off of them. They retreat. Sheamus and Orton get up. All three stare at each other.
At ringside, Mark Henry comes out and heads to the ring for a two on one handicap match.
[Commercial]
His opponents, The Usos, are in the ring.
[Match 2]
[Handicap Match]
[Mark Henry vs. The Usos]
Bell sounds. Henry and Jey Uso grapple and Henry throws him across the ring. Tag to Jimmy. Henry with a kick to the gut and and overhead chop. He whips Jimmy and Jimmy counters with a dropkick. Tag to Jay and Jay with a superkick. Tag back to Jimmy and Jimmy with a splash off the top for two. Henry gets up and headbutts Jimmy. He grabs Jay and throws him off the ring and into a barricade. Henry grabs Jimmy and drops him with the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.
[Winner via Pinfall: Mark Henry]
[Time: 01:37]
Henry goes outside, grabs Jay and throws him back in the ring. He heads back in the ring and gives Jay the World’s Strongest Slam. He grabs Jimmy and gives him a second World’s Strongest Slam. He then goes over to Jay and drops a body splash on him. Finally, Henry leaves the ring.
At WrestleMania, Ryback takes on Mark Henry
Up next, in a Champion vs. Champion match, World Champion Alberto Del Rio takes on United States champion Antonio Cesaro.
[Commercial]
Antonio Cesaro comes out and heads to the ring for a match.
Ricardo Rodriguez comes out in crutches.
Ricardo: My leg may be weak, but my voice is strong.
Ricardo announces Alberto Del Rio, who comes out and helps Ricardo down to the ring.
Cole announces that later tonight Ryback will take on 3MB in a three on one handicap match.
[Match 3]
[Champion vs. Champion]
[Alberto Del Rio vs. Antonio Cesaro]
Bell sounds. They circle each other and grapple. Cesaro with an arm lock. Ricardo flips out of it and applies an arm bar. Cesaro grabs the top for a rope break. He knocks Del Rio into the corner and lands some rights. Cesaro with an uppercut that takes Del Rio down followed by an elbow drop for two. Cesaro with a side headlock. Del Rio fights out of it and lands two clotheslines. Cesaro off the ropes and Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Del Rio waits for Cesaro to get up.
Zeb Colter appears on the ramp. Del Rio looks over at him. Cesaro takes advantage of the distraction and beats on Del Rio in the corner. He whips Del Rio and runs at him. Del Rio back drops Cesaro onto the apron. Cesaro with a headbutt. He climbs to the top, and Del Rio drapes him over the turnbuckle. Del Rio climbs up and connects with a superplex. Both men are down. Swagger appears out of nowhere, grabs Ricardo and throws him into the ring steps. Swagger grabs the ankle and pulls Ricardo towards the timekeeper’s position. Del Rio climbs the turnbuckle and jumps down on Swagger, landing right hands. Del Rio with a side kick to Swagger’s head Swagger retreats into the crowd and Del Rio gets counted out.
[Winner via Countout: Antonio Cesaro]
[Time: 03:25]
Del Rio heads back in the ring and attacks Cesaro from behind. He kicks him into the corner, then grabs him and applies the Cross Arm Breaker. Cesaro taps, but the match is already over. Cesaro lets go and goes back to Ricardo to check on him.
Tonight, the Q&A with Rock and Cena takes place.
Up next, Tag Team champions Kane and Daniel Bryan are in action.
[Commercial]
The Prime Time Players are in the ring for tag team action.
Their opponents, Kane and Daniel Bryan, comes out and enter the ring.
[Match 4]
[Tag Match]
[Team Hell No vs. The Prime Time Players]
Bell sounds. Kane and Titus start off. Kane with a whip and a back elbow for one. Kane throws Titus into his corner. Tag to bryan. Bryan and Kane throw Titus into the corner and Bryan with high kicks to the chest. Tag to Kane. Kane charges Bryan up and hurls him into Titus. Kane with a clothesline for two. He picks Titus up and Titus with right hands into his corner. Tag to Darren. They kick him in the corner. Kane fights back and jabs Darren back to his corner. Tag to Bryan and Kane and Bryan wityh a double hip toss for two.
Ziggler, AJ and Langston come out on stage. Bryan sees them and kicks Darren while looking at them. Whip to Darren is countered and Darren with a belly to belly. Tag to Titus. Titus grabs Bryan and delivers an uppercut. Tag to Darren. Titus grabs Darren and suplexes him onto Bryan for a two count. Darren grabs Bryan and applies a waist lock. Bryan gets up and delivers knees to the face. Darren grabs Bryan and whips him. Bryan with a running elbow. Tag to Kane. Kane whips Darren and lands a punch to the gut followed by a boot to the face and a running dropkick. He whips Darren in the corner and delivers a splash. He goes for another, but Darren fights him off. Darren runs forward and Kane with a boot to the face for two. Kane picks Darren up, but Darren slips off and lands some kicks. He goes for a whip and Kane counters with a side slam for two. Titus runs at Bryan and Bryan lowers the ropes. Titus falls out of the ring and Bryan with a running knee off the apron. Darren tries to roll up Kane from behind, but Kane manages to stand on his feet. Darren gets up and Kane grabs him with a chokeslam for the three count.
[Winners via Pinfall: Kane & Daniel Bryan]
[Time: 04:39]
Bryan and Kane look over at team Ziggler and taunt each other.
Tonight, The Shield will be in action in a six man tag match.
Up next, a preview for the Triple H/Brock Lesnar match.
[Commercial]
A preview video for Triple H versus Brock Lesnar plays. The match will be no holds barred, and if Triple H loses his career is over.
Triple H comes out and heads to the ring to address the fans.
Triple H: So for the first time ever I find myself going to the ring at WrestleMania in a situation where if I lose i’m never allowed to compete in this ring again. My career is over. Her’es the thing. If you go into the ring thinking your career might not be over then you’ve already lost. Lesnar is a machine that can take your career away from you in an instant. But i’ve had a twenty year career where I have fought every night like my life depended on it. So if Heyman thought he made this grand coup by putting my back in the corner and making this personal, then he’s mistaken. Brock Lesnar, I have advice for you. Show up at WrestleMania like YOUR career is on the line. Fight like YOUR life depends on it. Because Brock, it very well might. I am not coming to WrestleMania to wrestle. I am not coming to fight. I am coming to kick…your…ASS!
Triple H drops the mic and leaves the ring. As he does, Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett comes out and heads down to the ring. He and Triple H meet face to face. Barrett gestures for him to beat it. Triple H gives him a kick in the jewels. He walks away with Barrett holding himself in pain. Barrett has a match up next.
[Commercial]
Barrett is in the ring still recovering from the low blow.
His opponent, The Miz, comes out and heads to the ring.
[Match 5]
[Singles Match]
[Wade Barrett vs. The Miz]
Bell sounds. Miz mocks the low blow and Wade runs at him. Miz with an inverted atomic drop. Wade rolls out of the ring and collects himself. Miz begs him to get back in. He does so. Miz ducks a punch and delivers an atomic drop and an inverted atomic drop. He goes for Skull Crushing Finale, but Wade escapes the hold and leaves the ring again. A few seconds later he gets back inside. He goes for a test of strength, but turns it into a kick. He smacks Miz in the corner and kicks him down. He grabs Miz and whips him to the corner. Miz gets on the apron and knocks Wade back. He climbs on the turnbuckle and Wade drapes him over the turnbuckle before hitting a running kick to the chest. Miz is down on the mat as Wade lands right hands to the head. Wade with a chin lock on Miz. Miz gets to his feet. Wade goes for a back suplex, but Miz flips on his feet and rolls Wade up for two. Miz goes for the backbreaker/neckbreaker combo, but Wade slips out of it and shoves Miz to the ropes. Miz tosses Wade up and over the top. He gets on the apron and hits Wade with a double axe handle. He throws Wade back in the ring and gets a two count.
[Commercial]
Barrett with kicks to Miz’s back. he puts him on the ropes and drives a knee into his back. Barrett with knee strikes to the face followed by a running boot that knocks Miz out of the ring. Wade goes over to Miz, grabs him and shoves him into the ring apron. He rolls him back into the ring and gets a two count. Wade drives the knee into Miz’s back and stretches out his arms. Miz gets to his feet and fights out of it. Barrett whips Miz into the corner. Miz with a back elbow and a drop toe hold. Wade’s smacks his head against the turnbuckle post. He runs at Miz. Miz ducks and lands some left hands. Whip, Wade counters and Miz with a running forearm, a running knee and a boot to the midsection. Miz runs at Wade and clotheslines him in the corner. He then climbs the turnbuckle and hits a double axe handle for two. Miz sets up for the Skull Crushing Finale. He goes for it, but Wade slips out of it and catches Miz in the Winds of Change for two. Wade picks Miz up and goes for Wasteland, but Miz gets to his feet. Barrett with a boot attempt, but Miz grabs the leg and goes for a figure four. Wade counters with an inside cradle for two. Miz grabs Wade’s leg and kicks it. He goes for another figure four, but Wade kicks Miz shoulder first into the post. He rolls him up for a two count. Wade with a running kick to the head for another two count. Wade pulls his elbow pad and signals for the Bull Hammer. He runs and Miz ducks. He rolls up and gets a two up. Wade throws Miz on the apron. He goes for a boot, but Miz ducks and Wade gets low-blowed on the ropes. Miz chops the back of the leg and pulls Wade down. He applies the figure four leg lock and Wade taps out.
[Winner via Submission: The Miz]
[Time: 12:06]
Kane and Bryan are backstage in the locker room.
Bryan: I need you to be focused.
Kane: I know what i’m doing.
Bryan: Sure. Against Prime Time Players. Not against Team Ziggler. Besides, they have she-who-shall-not-be-named.
Kane: AJ?
Bryan: Yes!
Kane: You’re the one who has not been over her.
Bryan: No you!
Kane: She left you at the alter!
Kaitlyn walks over to them.
Kaitlyn: You both need to learn to get over her.
Bryan: Easy for you to say. She has a shot at your Divas title at WrestleMania.
AJ can be seen in the background walking closer to them.
Kaitlyn: Look, i’m just the guy who tried to get her to dump the emotionally abusive troll of a boyfriend. Who was that? Oh yeah, you?
Bryan: I was a great boyfriend!
Kaitlyn: Look, she’s a beady eyed, mad hatter, certifiable crazy bi-
AJ attacks Kaitlyn from behind and knocks her down.
AJ: I’LL SHOW YOU CRAZY! I’LL SHOW YOU CRAZY!
Bryan and Kane grabs AJ and pull her out of the locker room.
Tonight, Q&A with Rock and Cena.
Up next, The Shield in six man tag action.
[Commercial]
Great Kahli, Zack Ryder, and Justin Gabriel are in the ring for a six man tag match.
Their opponents, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns of The Shield, come down to the ring through the crowd.
[Match 6]
[Six Man Tag Match]
[The Shield vs. Great Kahli, Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel]
Bell sounds. Kahli and Rollins start out. Kahli with a chops and a smack against the turnbuckle. He chops Rollins in the chest. Tag to Ryder. Ryder with a right hand. He whips Rollins. Rollins counters and runs. Ryder with knees to the face. He goes for a dropkick, but Rollins moves out of the way. He lands right hands on Ryder. Tag to Ambrose. Ambrose with a kick to the leg and a punch to the head. He puts Ryder at the ropes and lands some right. He runs the ropes and hits a dropkick. He puts Ryder in the corner. Tag to Reigns. Reigns picks Ryder up and throws him in the corner. He stomps on Ryder in the corner. Ryder with a back elbow. He tags in Gabriel. Gabriel whips Reigns. Ambrose with the blind tag. Gabriel leaps over Reigns and Ambrose attacks him from behind with a right hand to the back of the head. Ambrose with a scoop slam. Tag to Rollins. Rollins with a diving knee off the top for the three count.
[Winners via Pinfall: The Shield]
[Time: 02:32]
Kahli attacks all three of them. The three men beat down on Kahli until he stops moving on the ground. They then pick Kahli up and give him a triple powerbomb. All three unite in the middle of the ring.
Sheamus comes out. Then Orton. They head to the ring. Big Show walks in from the other side of the ring and The Shield is surrounded. All three enter the ring and a brawl ensues between the two teams. Sheamus, Orton, and Show dominate over The Shield. Show back body drops Rollins to the mat. The Shield leave the ring and head into the crowd to fight another day. Show, Sheamus and Orton turn and look up at the WrestleMania sign.
Q&A is still to come.
Backstage, Jericho comes out of Vickie Guerrero’s office. Josh Matthews walks over to him.
Matthews: Jericho, you were just in with Raw’s managing supervisor Vickie Guerrero. What were you two discussing?
Jericho: When you’ve been around as long as I have, and when you have accomplished what I have you become a target. That’s because I have made an impact, I have earned respect. Fandango has kicked my ass twice in a row and it’s proven nothing. But now thanks to Vickie Guerrero Fandango gets his chance because at the grandest stage of them all it will be Chris Jericho vs. Fandango at WrestleMania! Now that the bulls-eye is on your forehead Fandango, you will never…eeeever, be the same again.
He leaves.
At ringside, Team Rhodes Scholars come out on stage.
Sandow: Here we are in the city of brotherly love. A city that is famous for greasy sandwiches and a stadium that has an actual prison inside of it. SILENCE! But fear not because tonight team Rhodes Scholars has a gift for all of you. May I suggest you all avert your eyes so you are not blinded by the incandescence of…
Cody: Brie and Nikki…THE BELLA TWINS!
The Bellas come out and join Sandow and Cody as they head to the ring for a tag match.
[Commercial]
Brodus Clay and “Sweet T” Tensai are dancing with the Funkadactyls in the ring. They’re Rhodes Scholar’s opponents.
[Match 7]
[Tag Match]
[Brodus & Tensai w/Funkadactyls vs. Rhodes Scholars w/The Bella Twins]
Bell sounds. Brodus and Sandow start off. Brodus splashes Sandow in the corner. Tag to Tensai and Tensai and Brodus with a side slam/clothesline combo. Tensai runs the ropes and goes for a senton splash, but Sandow rolls out of the way. Tag to Cody. Cody kicks Tensai in the face and hits a neckbreaker. Tag to Sandow. Sandow with elbows to the face. He covers and gets a two count. Tag to Cody. Cody grabs Tensai’s arm and applies an arm lock submission. Tensai shoves him back. Cody kicks him away and climbs the turnbuckle. He goes for a dropkick, but Tensai moves out of the way. Tag to Brodus. Brodus with two clotheslines and a t-bone suplex to Cody. He knocks Sandow out of the ring. Running splash to Cody. Cody rolls outside. The Bellas try to protect him, but the Funkadactyl attack The Bellas. During the distraction, Cody gets back in the ring and hits Brodus with the disaster kick for the three count.
[Winners via Pinfall: Rhodes Scholars]
[Time: 02:29]
A behind the scenes preview for G.I. Joe Retaliation plays.
Backstage, Ryback is heading to the ring to face all three members of 3MB up next.
[Commercial]
3MB, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre, are already in the ring.
Their opponent, Ryback, comes out and heads to the ring.
[Match 8]
[Handicap Match]
[Ryback vs. 3MB]
Bell sounds. 3MB discuss strategy while Ryback looks on. Slater starts off. Ryback attacks the other two and Ryback with punches. Off the ropes and Ryback with a Lou Thez. He smacks Slater’s head against the mat a few times and then lands a splash. Slater rolls over to Drew and tags him in. Ryback grabs Drew and tackles him into the corner. Chops to the chest. Ryback turns and knocks Slater and Mahal out of the ring. Drew with a dropkick to Ryback. Tag to Mahal. Mahal stomps on Ryback and drives knees to the face. Slater tags in and lands right hands on Ryback in the corner. Ryback shoves Slater back. Slater with a high knee to the face for two. Slater applies a guillotine choke, but Ryback lifts him up and slams him on the mat. Tag to Drew and Drew with a dropkick once more for two. Dre applies a side headlock. Ryback with a back suplex. Drew tags Mahal. Mahal with a high knee to the face for a strong two count. Tag to Slater. Mahal whips Slater into Ryback. Ryback avoids it and hits Mahal with a meathook clothesline. He throws Mahal and Drew out of the ring. Slater runs at Ryback and Ryback throws him across the ring. Spinebuster to Slater. Mahal gets back in the ring. Spinebuster to Mahal. Ryback grabs Mahal and Slater and hits a double Shellshock. He covers Slater and gets the three count.
[Winner via Pinfall: Ryback]
[Time: 04:04]
This Friday on Smackdown. Ryback takes on Mark Henry in a weight lifting competition.
AJ is skipping around backstage. She’s heading to the ring to take on Kaitlyn one on one next.
[Commercial]
None other than Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducting Bruno Sammartino into the WWE Hall of Fame.
AJ comes out and skips to the ring.
Her opponent, Divas Champion Kaitlyn, heads to the ring.
[Match 9]
[Singles Match]
[AJ Lee vs. Kaitlyn]
Bell sounds. Kaitlyn tackles AJ down and lands right hands. She picks AJ up and whips her into the turnbuckle. Kaitlyn with a back elbow. Another whip into the turnbuckle. She picks AJ up and whips her a third time into the turnbuckle. Kaitlyn scrambles to grab AJ who holds the ropes. AJ gets up and slaps Kaitlyn twice. Kaitlyn grabs AJ and throws her back down. She lifts AJ over her shoulders and drops her with double knees to the gut. AJ rolls out of the ring. She waits for AJ to get up and goes for a spear, but AJ moves out of the way causing Kaitlyn to crash into the barricade. AJ rolls back into the ring and the referee counts Kaitlyn out.
[Winner via Countout: AJ Lee]
[Time: 02:18]
Up next, Q&A with Cena and The Rock. Jerry Lawler will be the moderator, and the panel will consist of WWE Hall of Famers
[Commercial]
Jerry Lawler is in the ring. A big table surrounded by chairs is placed in the ring.
Jerry: At WrestleMania, the WWE Championship match between John Cena and The Rock will be historic. But not before those two make a little history tonight. In 13 days they’ll answer the ultimate question: who will be WWE Champion. But tonight they’re going to answer questions from a panel of WWE Hall of Famers and superstars. And now it is my honor to introduce those superstars to you right now.
Booker T, Mick Foley, Dusty Rhodes, and Bret Hart head into the ring.
[Commercial]
Everyone is sitting down at the table except Lawler.
Lawler: Ladies and gentlemen, the WWE Champion…THE ROCK!
Rock comes out and heads to the ring. He shakes hands and hugs everyone in the ring before getting on his podium.
Lawler: And now ladies and gentlemen, the man who will face The Rock for the WWE Championship…JOHN CENA!
Cena comes out and heads into the ring. He shakes hands with the group and goes to his podium.
Lawler: Here’s how this is gonna work. Rock and John Cena, each one of our legends will ask either Rock or John a question, and both of you will have a chance to respond. Let’s start with our newest hall of famer, Mick Foley
Foley: Thank you. It’s an honor to be on an panel with these tremendous superstars. A few years back I teamed up with Rock at WrestleMania 20 which I lost. I felt a sense a regret for costing Rock what we thought would be his final WrestleMania ever. John, with all due respect because I am a Cena fan, but I felt a tremendous sense of weight off my shoulders when Rock defeated you at WrestleMania. I know how disappointed you were, so my question is are you prepare to deal with the type of regret another loss would give you?
Cena: There is no mistaking that April 7th will be a historic day for the WWE. And whether I win or lose that match, it will change the face of the WWE forever. If I win I get satisfaction, the WWE Championship, and much needed redemption. If you were to talk to me last year about losing I wouldn’t even speak on the subject because losing was not an option. Then he defeated me. So I know losing is an option, it’s a very real option. You want me to talk about regret? That’s a tougher story to tell, and i’ll make you feel exactly how I feel. Donovan Mcnabb. Donovan Mcnabb. Donovan Mcnabb is the greatest quarterback in Eagles history, but listen to how the fans react to him. Why? Because Mcnabb could not win the big one. Philadelphia’s fans have passion, and with that type of passion they deserve someone who can win the big one. They’re invested in the WWE and are looking for a man who can win the big one. If I lose I will carry the legacy of Donovan Mcnabb. City to city, arena to arena I will get a reaction of disdain because as good as I am statistically, I will never win the big one. That’s a lot of regret, but at least I can handle failure. Rock knows nothing of failure. Not yet. But he soon will.
Rock: I don’t know about failure? John let The Rock tell you something. When I was 23 years old I was so broke I had to get my mattress out of a dumpster at an hourly motel. And I can’t tell you all the fun things soaked in that mattress. Then I got my big break. After that I tore my knee up. They told me to go home. I could’ve quit right there, but I didn’t. I worked my ass off and I came back. And when I came back to the WWE Universe, I said one thing. Just give me…a mic. Two years after that Rock became the youngest WWE Champion headlining WrestleMania and selling out arena like Philadelphia which by the way reminds me of something which is FINALLY, THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO PHILADELPHIA! The Rock was riding high at that time. And what happened? The Rock got his ass kicked by Stone Cold Steve Austin? I sat alone thinking about the failure? So I decided to come back as one of the greatest if not THE greatest of all time. So that failure lead me to be the man I am today which is the man who will be whipping your ass in 13 days!
Lawler: Our next question, Bret “The Hitman” Hart.
Bret: Rock, John, you’re both good friends to me but I gotta say it pained me to see you two last year. You were overcome with bad blood that reminded me of Shawn Michaels. What I wanna know, and what the WWE Universe wants to know is…what happened? What changed?
Rock: Two guys went at it last year wanting to be the best. There were no cheap shots or screw jobs. I beat John in the middle of the ring. He didn’t bitch, didn’t moan, he took it like a man and I respect that.
Cena: I started all this when I called Rock out in an interview. He said he loved WWE and I said prove it. He did. He hosted WrestleMania 27 and then defeated me at WrestleMania 28. I figured after that match Rock walks off in the sunset and is never seen again. But the next night he comes out in front of the world and says he will not stop until he is WWE Champion which he is right now. Rock you have proven your love and dedication to this business. The amount of times we have hung out is a staggering zero. I appreciate you saying that I took my loss like a man, and in 13 days we’ll see how you handle yours.
Lawler: Alright. Next question from our next new Hall of Famer Booker T.
Booker: John, Rock, while i’m the only person on this panel who has faced both of you guys, my question is to you John. You think you can beat the Rock at Wrestlemania, but I want to know why. Why are you going to beat The Rock at WrestleMania?
Cena: Because I have to. That’s it. Because I have to.
Rock: Because you have to? That’s it? What kind of shallow weak answer is that? Biggest match of your life because your have to? How about you wipe a monkey’s ass with you have to? Tell them the truth. Tell them why you gotta beat me? Go ahead. Tell the truth.
Cena: Because you didn’t beat me! You cannot beat me! I beat me! And that’s the first time I ever said that publicly, but that is fact. One…one bad decision. I got caught up in one personal moment. Some people like me, some people don’t like me, and that’s fine. Every single week for ten damn years, and I just go along for the ride, you are the only one who has ever clouded my judgement enough to make a stupid decision. Jerry you saw it, I had his ass beat! I handled the best you got and I had you down and out. What did I do? Try to beat him using his own stupid move. One time you personally got in the way of me. Never again. I’m going into that ring on my own terms because I know-you want a reason? You’ve got a reason. I KNOW I am better than The Rock! And much, much more importantly, The Rock knows I am better than The Rock.
Rock: Here’s what I do know. If you had me beat, you would’ve beaten me. Here’s what happened. You threw everything you had, but I had an answer. When I kicked out I left you speechless. Still beat you 1-2-3 in front of all these people. There was one legend I respected in this business, and he had a saying. “To be the man…WOO…you gotta beat the man!” John Cena, you can’t beat the man because you are NOT the man. John Cena, between The Rock and you, you will never, and The Rock means EVER…be the man.
Dusty: That’s what i’m talking about. You need to take those gloves off. It’s not about redemption. It’s about winning and losing. There are no guarantees in this business. Sometimes you don’t always get what you want. Sometimes what you want is not always what you get, so let me ask you this question. What do you want? What do you guys REALLY want on April 7th?
Cena; I want to win the big one. Not one win the big one, I want to dominate The Rock. At the end of WrestleMania what I want is The Rock to be look at the sky and finally realize that this ball cap wearing Punk who he says should never have belonged in the Attitude Era belongs, and he will realize that I am better than The Rock. I want to do to him what he did to me. Hand him a loss so devastating that it will haunt him the rest of his life. That is what I want.
Rock: Haunt me for the rest of my life? Who do you think you’re talking to? I ain’t wired that way. The day after WrestleMania Rock is still going to be people’s champion while you stuff yourself with Fruity Pebbles asking why you couldn’t get the job done again. The bottom line is this. You want to prove The Rock wrong? Prove him wrong. But better than that, why don’t you prove me wrong right now?
Rock leaves the podium and looks ready to fight. Cena takes his shirt and chain off.
Lawler: Guys, come on.
They stare each other down. Cena waves his hand in front of Rock’s face. Rock shoves him. Cena lifts Rock up for Attitude Adjustment, but Rock slips behind Cena, grabs him and delivers Rock Bottom. Rock leaves the ring with the WWE Championship in his hand while Cena looks on looking defeated as the show comes to an end.