“Hasn’t Been Around in a Very Long Time”: CM Punks Drops Major Dwayne Johnson Reference Against Cody Rhodes in Heated WWE Raw 01/23 Promo

WWE giving all the glory to part-time pro wrestlers and making them main event PPVs has been an issue that has been addressed by fans time and again. According to them, it takes away opportunities from superstars who deserve them. In the recent episode of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk brought up this topic in a roundabout way.

Whether it be Goldberg making his return in the past or the comeback of Batista in 2014, the stealing of the limelight from active wrestlers is something fans aren’t very fond of. In fact, CM Punk has often been very vocal about the same issue. And it looks like he might’ve subtly addressed it again in his promo tonight with Cody Rhodes.

CM Punk uses Dwayne Johnson as a reference to taunt Cody Rhodes

Tonight’s segment between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes was legendary, to say the least. There were constant jibes, references to their pasts, etc. However, it looks like CM Punk might’ve also brought The Rock into the mix while trying to take a shot at Cody Rhodes. Referencing Rhodes’ desire to finish his story at WrestleMania, Punk mentioned how dreams are often disrupted by bigger superstars making a sudden return. This puts a dent in a superstar’s desires and steals the spotlight from oneself. He said, “…and right when you’re about to cross the finish line and finish your story, oh wait, what’s that in the distance? It’s a much bigger superstar that hasn’t been around in a very long time.”

Though in the very next line, Punk mentioned that he was talking about himself and not any other superstar, one cannot help but relate it to WrestleMania in 2012.

When the Rock stole the limelight from CM Punk

WrestleMania 28 was a PPV that every fan would remember. After all, the PPV featured the ‘Once in a lifetime’ main event match between John Cena and ‘The Rock’. And while the idea of it being a main event was understandable considering the money it did generate, according to CM Punk, it seemed a lot unfair. Back then, CM Punk was the WWE champion. Despite holding the title, he featured in the co-main event spot, with the return of the Rock getting more attention.

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In an interview, Punk expressed his discontentment over the issue as he said, “I just think there’s a lot of us backstage and behind the scenes that bust our a** and we do it 365 days a year, and Rock just kinda comes in with his veneers and he’s smiling at everybody and–I don’t fault anyone for making money, he can make all the money he wants, but when he preaches about WWE, how much he loves it, and how much it’s family, and he loves being there, and nobody ever sees him because he goes right from his limo to his dressing room, from his dressing room to the ring, it’s a stark contrast–He says one thing and does another.”

Ever since then CM Punk has been looking for his opportunity to main event WrestleMania. With the Royal Rumble almost here, it is time for the ‘Cult of Personality’ to win it all and get his dream of headlining the biggest event in sports entertainment. What did you make of Punk’s sly reference to The Rock? Let us know in the comments section below.

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