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On television the recent build to John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 28 has all been very civilised. A week ago, WWE aired video packages for both Cena and Rock that was designed to portray them both as babyfaces to their rival faction of fans, in a manner inspired by Twilight's teenage readers splitting into two camps, Team Edward and Team Jacob, each devotedly supporting one of the two rival protagonists in the book series in their battle against the other.
John Cena: Wonder if Dwayne will be there......hmmmm....let me...Nope. Lotta static bout Dwayne's absence in Topeka. No need to worry. He will be there April 1...then we settle it
The Rock: @JohnCena I was electrifying Topeka when you were sucking on yum rockets in college. My boot. Your ass. #Wrestlemania
John Cena:So its apparent that my actor buddy Dwayne doesn't like homosexuals or secondary education. Very classy. Tell Brian to write u better stuff.
John Cena: In Wichita today. Maybe my buddy Dwayne from #Teamfilmit will be here...probably not. But maybe ill be lucky enuff to get a message about How he used to be in WWE and once went to Wichita, and how good it was...u know before he left...and the whatever came back...only to say He was home and never leaving....only to leave again. Being your boots movie star. Ill see u april 1st. Meanwhile ill do my job... One that I would never leave. The one I love. The one u left. #everyotherdaybesideswrestlemaina That should hold #Teamfilmit over until the superbowl. But ill leave u with this..I speak fact, not politics. What is Dwayne gonna do. Get u guys to boo me louder? Yeah...that's worked for the past 5 years :) RISE ABOVE HATE. HUSTLE. LOYALTY. RESPECT.
The Rock: @JohnCena Settle down cowgirl. Your lemon panties are getting bunched up in your lady parts. #HustleLoyaltyVagisil
John Cena: Once again outclassed by #thefakeone man it would be a shame if Dwayne got beat by a guy with a mangina. Hey hollywood what u doin april 9? I know where ill be. Have a nice day Dwayne. RISE ABOVE HATE
The Rock: @JohnCena @WWE RAW 2/27. Portland, OR. The night The Rock slaps the feminine napkin out of John Cena. #UWhiningBitch
John Cena: Another classy response from my fav movie star. Just to make sure..ill pencil u in for RAW. Cause a lot of times u say you'll be there..but We all know how that one ends. And please..keep up the mangina talk..ill flip it into a Tampax deal :) have a nice night Dwayne. RISE ABOVE HATE :)
It's ironic that Cena is criticising The Rock for his subtle innuendo, when he was the one who got heat from GLAAD for being as subtle as a sledgehammer in implying that Rock and his WrestleMania 27 opponent The Miz were gay last spring. I suppose we're meant to believe that he's learnt the error of his ways while The Rock has not.
From this Twitter dialogue it seems that Rock will keep the colourful insults coming while Cena will try to rise above it and not respond to his bait in a similar fashion. That should work well in keeping his fans onboard, while simultaneously rubbing his haters up the wrong way. What do you think fellow Cagesiders?