How I Would’ve Booked C.M Punk/The Rock/John Cena, 2012-13
C.M Punk is the longest reigning champion of the modern era in the WWE. His skills are unmatched despite his comparatively diminutive stature. Slaying giants like The Big Show, Ryback and John Cena in his title defense lasting over 400 days. Still, something haunts the champion. Despite all his success he’s never truly achieved what he deems is immortality.
Ever since being billed as the WWE’s number one product John Cena’s drawn the ire from many of the boys in the locker room, seeing him as the main obstacle to them getting their shot. Cena is without allies so much so that in a scheduled tag team match for Survivor Series against R-Truth and The Miz, Cena turns to a legend who has not wrestled in nearly a decade.
That legend is five-time WWE Champion The Rock. Now into his forties having dominated Hollywood with multiple blockbusters under his belt The Rock sets out to reconquer his old stomping grounds in the WWE. Rock wants a title match, but Vince McMahon tells the People’s Champ he’ll have to earn it. Rock initially is thrilled to work alongside John Cena as the two share a mutual respect. Before their match, after agreeing to be his partner for the main event, Rock meets C.M Punk who goads Rock into watching a heavily edited video of Cena taking down The Rock demeaning his abilities as a wrestler. During their match Cena goes for the hot tag only for Rock to return his hand and walk out on his desperate partner. R-Truth pins Cena and the match is loss.
Afterwards, Cena meets Punk asking what is it he told The Rock in their little talk. Punk smiles and promises it was nothing but one legend paying respects to another.
Two weeks before their WrestleMania match Cena is wrestling Kane on Monday Night War. Cena looks ready to put the match into the win column when Rock bursts out from backstage and delivers a vicious Rock Bottom to Cena. He drapes the Big Red Machine’s arm over Cena’s torso and the referee counts to three. Kane wins, Cena knows who it is who screwed him. The next night on Smackdown the two meet in the center of the ring to hash out their differences. Rock tells Cena he’s never liked or respected him. Deriding Cena’s accomplishments as a byproduct of having “everything handed to him on a silver platter.” Loving this Punk decides to stoke the flames seeing Rock as a threat to his title reign. Cena tells Rock once more he did not say the things Punk showed him on the doctored video to be saying, but Rock isn’t having it. He goes for a punch and this time Cena ducks, shifting to a Attitude Adjustment and laying out The Rock in the center of the ring.
At ‘Mania Rock and Cena go nearly a half-hour beating each other to a pulp. Rock breaks out of a Cena bear hug and after a double clothesline lay the two competitors flat in the center of the ring. At the end Cena is about to perform his finisher the Five-Knuckle Shuffle when The Rock kicks up and performs a Rock Bottom which is enough to win the grudge match and prove even in his advanced age he still can hang with the top talent.
As for Cena this loss knocks him down in the pecking order. At the next pay-per-view Cena is beaten down by the returning Brock Lesnar, losing to commentator Michael Cole (due to outside interference by Punk) and losing a number one contenders match to The Big Show. Cena tries to maintain a calm facade but desperately wants a rematch with Rock to regain the dignity he had prior to the heartbreaking loss. But Rock is not interested in Cena anymore. Rock is eyeing the WWE Championship and it’s holder C.M Punk. Entering the Royal Rumble Cena is one of the last two standing between him and Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler’s valet and former girlfriend of Cena A.J Lee distracts him and leads to his elimination. Ziggler is given the right to pick who he’ll challenge at WrestleMania for either the World Heavyweight Title (Alberto Del Rio) or the WWE Champion (Punk).
Angered and further distraught Cena demands Ziggler fight him the next night on Raw only to be laughed out of the room.
C.M Punk lets his intentions known to the WWE fans two weeks before the Royal Rumble that he doesn’t care about the history of the business or what the fans think of him and his newfound nasty behavior. Defending himself claiming you have to scratch, claw and kick to stay on top for as long as he has. In his quest to transform to WWE from the inside Punk has turn bitter, embattled and mentally scarred. Trusting no one and shunning those who were once his most loyal followers. The Rock comes out to undress the champion and challenge him for the belt at the rumble.
C.M Punk is explicitly told before his title defense match by Vince McMahon that if The Shield is seen involving themselves in the match Punk will be disqualified and stripped of his title and given to his opponent. His manager Paul Heyman is panic stricken. His client is made of harder stuff.
The match is a classical back and forth, near the end Rock gains the upper hand and the worn out Punk is unable to keep his legs from buckling. Going in for the kill Rock is about to perform the People’s Elbow when the lights abruptly go out, when they come back on Rock is seen laying on the collapsed announced table out cold. Smiling Punk gives a look to the pleasantly surprised Heyman that says “I told you.” Punk rolls Rock back into the ring and gets the pin. His celebration is cut short by McMahon seeing through the facade and stripping Punk of his belt and giving it to The Rock. Angered beyond comprehension Punk proceeds to beat on the new champion until Rock regains his senses and reverses a G.T.S into a Rock Bottom.
Disgruntled at his loss, via D.Q, Punk takes to the ring to cut a vicious promo on Raw the next night verbally attacking Rock, the McMahon’s and refusing to leave the ring until he is guaranteed his rematch. The Rock comes out saying he has no qualms with giving Punk his rematch. But Rock wants Punk to say he is the WWE Champion and his reign is officially over. Punk is defiant saying he’s never loss and there is no proof of The Shield’s involvement to support McMahon swiftly stripping him of the belt. Punk says he’ll see McMahon in court. Two weeks later a ruling comes down that since nobody could have saw The Shield attack Rock that it could have been anybody, so the match is ruled a “No Contest” meaning Punk is still the world champion but Rock gets his rematch at Elimination Chamber.
At Elimination Chamber Cena is in a match to decide the challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania between Daniel Bryan, Jack Swagger, Randy Orton, Mark Henry and Kane. Cena eliminates Orton, Henry and Kane and wins by last pinning Jack Swagger. Cena is able to rise above this hurdle and win the match, however much to Rock’s dismay. Though Cena wants a shot at his WWE Championship, not the Heavyweight Title.
Rock and Punk’s match at Elimination Chamber is a carbon copy of the first, except the stipulation is this match is a no D.Q and The Rock is defiant he can take care of himself despite the superstars in the locker room warning him of the contrary. Rock again gets the upper hand on Punk is about to pin him for three and the title when Cena pulls him off and delivers a crushing punch to the nose of the challenger/champion before rolling him back into the ring. Punk salutes Cena for his assistance before pinning Rock. His celebration is again cut short when Cena re-enters the ring to perform an Attitude Adjustment on Punk and cuts a promo telling him he didn’t do this him, he did it to protect “us full-timers.”
Next night on Raw Punk keeps true to his word giving Cena a title shot and the two leave nothing to be desired both bloodied and beaten, the two are on their knees still throwing haymakers Cena eventually getting the upper hand. Cena obtains the necessary energy to perform an A.A when Rock crashes the match and punches Cena a few times before The Shield rushes out to tackle Rock and proceed to beat on him for a bit until the sound of glass shattering reverberates throughout the arena and former rival Stone Cold Steve Austin beats down The Authority delivering Stunner after Stunner until his momentum is halted by a spear courtesy of Roman Reigns. Rock retaliates by performing a Rock Bottom on Reigns. Throughout the commotion Punk is able to execute a G.T.S on Rock and leaves the ring.
A ruling comes down nullifying Dolph Ziggler’s victory at the Royal Rumble. Ziggler had pledged A.J would not be anywhere near ringside for the event. Having broke his oath Ziggler found himself on the outside looking in. The only way he could reclaim his spot is if he is victorious in a match between him and Ryback. Since John Cena already held a spot challenging for the World Heavyweight Title he was disqualified. Cena reaches out to Ziggler behind the curtain and offers his spot in ‘Mania for Ziggler’s position in the sudden death match. Ziggler accepts and Cena is in the match.
Cena wins by pinning Ryback, his dream realized. He will be challenging C.M Punk at WrestleMania. Only... Triple H needs a word. The match wasn’t officially sanctioned by the WWE involving Cena in Ziggler’s place. Cena is facing major repercussions for auctioning off his title shot and could potentially lose everything.
A week goes by, Punk still without a foe for WrestleMania decides as champion he then deserves the right to pick his opponent for the upcoming WrestleMania pay-per-view. He makes it known he wants to end the Deadman’s Streak and challenges The Undertaker to a title match. This causes Undertaker to come out and address Punk saying he isn’t “Man enough” to face him and in order to get a shot at him he must put his title on the line at ‘Mania versus Cena and Rock and then next year they’ll do it. Angered, Punk and his manager Paul Heyman steal Undertaker’s urn carrying Paul Bearers ashes. Telling Undertaker over satellite he’ll relinquish it back if he accepts his challenge. Having enough of the madness Vince McMahon comes out and derides Punk for his “thuggish” behavior. Claiming the champion isn’t conducting himself as one the WWE wants anything to do with. Punk dares Vince to fire him on the spot. Remembering the last time he tried to get the belt off of Punk resulted in a summer where he had two champions, Vince abruptly leaves to contemplate his next move.
A week later Punk is in a triple-threat against Randy Orton and Shamus. Punk looks as if he’s about to retain when the lights go out and Undertaker performs a choke slam on Punk. Orton gets the pin and the belt.
Disgusted at the injustice Punk demands a rematch seeing he’s found his partner for wrestling grandest stage. Triple H informs Punk he can have his match against Orton with the title on the line, if he returns the urn to the Undertaker beforehand. If he chooses not to, then ‘Taker will accept his challenge for a match at ‘Mania. Punk contemplates for a moment. To sweeten the offer, Triple H informs Punk if he wins at ‘Mania over Orton due to the fishy nature of his victory in the first place his title reign will be wiped from the history books and Punk will still be known as the defending champion extending his streak to 504 days.
Either decision will give Punk a chance at immortality. Punk decides it means more to end the Streak and is finally given his match against Undertaker at ‘Mania on the condition if he wins Punk will return the urn to him. Punk agrees and settles into his spot on the card. Meanwhile, Cena is frustrated there is no one for him to wrestle for WrestleMania. Victorious the match against Ryback Cena wants to regain the WWE Championship, seeing as he is unable to settle his scrabbles with Rock, C.M Punk and Randy Orton at this time he turns his attentions towards World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.
McMahon informs Cena that Ryback is the winner of the Rumble and will pick between Del Rio and Randy Orton. Rock makes his plight known and demands a spot in one of the title matches. Ryback decides to face Del Rio, leaving the WWE Championship match vacant. Having had enough of the drama McMahon orders Rock and Cena to settle their disputes in the ring at WrestleMania winner gets a title shot on the same night.
WrestleMania 28 card
C.M Punk def. The Undertaker
John Cena def. The Rock
Randy Orton def. John Cena
C.M Punk delivers the ultimate gut-punch heard around the world by defeating Undertaker by escaping his grip before he could execute his “Last Ride” finisher by smashing his head with the urn. The Streak is over and Punk achieved immortality. Celebratory, Punk leaves the urn at the edge of the ring having no further use for it.
Rock and Cena leave it all inside the ring pummeling each other until neither can stand. Cena musters enough strength to kick up before Rock can deliver the People’s Elbow and performs a spin buster to get the pin and the championship match against Randy Orton. Cena offers a handshake to Rock as a way to bury the hatchet. Rock shakes his head and walks off.
Given only an hour of recovery time Cena is still able to muster up a fight against the champion Orton getting multiple near-falls. Orton surprises Cena with an RKO out of nowhere and pins Cena to retain. Though defeated Cena is cheered once back in the locker room regaining the respect of his peers. Cena makes a beeline to the Undertaker to pay his respects to the Deadman.
Rock shocks the audience the next night on Raw informing them of his retirement from wrestling. He congratulates Cena on his win against him and then Cena comes out and shakes the Brahma Bull’s hand as a show of respect. The crowd chants “Rocky Rocky Rocky” as Cena raises his hand and the People’s Champ walks up the ramp for the final time, a noticeable tear in his eye. Before he can turn around Punk pulls up and stares at Rock. Their icy glares bring the crowd to a hush. Rock extends his hand to Punk. In his hubris Punk reaches out to accept and is given a Rock Bottom as a parting gift.
