WWE Champion The Rock retained his title against CM Punk at the 2013 Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and secured his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 29.
The Rock won the title for the first time in a decade at last month’s Royal Rumble, and his successful title defense was the first of his latest reign. Punk’s inability to re-capture the title will inevitably relegate him from the WWE Championship scene for the road to WrestleMania.
John Cena won the Royal Rumble match and chose to face the WWE champion at WrestleMania 29, and with The Rock’s victory at Elimination Chamber, it’s clear that the company is getting the dream match it wanted for this year’s show.
John Cena vs. The Rock II: Twice in a Lifetime.
The victory for The Rock proves that the plan all along was to have him face Cena once again this year, but with the caveat that the WWE title was on the line. That makes it different.
While many fans will complain about this match, a WrestleMania main event will receive more mainstream buzz with Rock and Cena involved than any other two WWE superstars on the roster.
From a business standpoint, the path the company took is a financial no-brainer.
As for Punk, the versatile worker could be put into a feud with almost any star in the WWE and make it an instant classic. While the loss in the title match doesn’t help the star’s credibility, the fact that Punk was in a title match with The Rock is a huge rub.
Both men benefited from their matches and have done a great job working together. When The Rock comes back after leaving again, another chapter to the feud with Punk would be a great addition to any card.
A battle between Punk and The Rock doesn’t need a championship to be something the fans never forget.
The Rock’s course is very simple and very direct; he’s on a one-way road to the main event of WrestleMania 29 where he will face off with John Cena for the WWE Championship.
After likely dropping the title to Cena in the biggest match of his life, The Rock will return to filming movies and being an actor. The WWE legend should be back for a show or two each year—something similar to Brock Lesnar’s schedule—but odds are that this is the last title reign in The Rock’ career.
The WWE will have something huge planned for Punk while The Rock and Cena are fighting for the title, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all if the WWE decides to pit Cena and Punk against each other after WrestleMania 29.
No matter what’s the road to WrestleMania, it is shaping up to be amazing.
