Farewell excursions have change into not unusual in American sports activities, as mythical athletes are actually and figuratively given their plant life as they play out their ultimate season. And that’s the reason the bankruptcy we have entered within the WWE occupation of John Cena.
After greater than two decades in skilled wrestling, as a 16-time (for now) international champion and probably the most recognizable mainstream wrestling superstar since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cena introduced ultimate July that he can be retiring from in-ring motion on the finish of 2025. Cena’s experience into the sundown is just a little bit other from the ones of his conventional sports activities opposite numbers; Main League Baseball’s Cal Ripken Jr. and Mariano Rivera by no means were given to low blow any in their opponents to arrange a shot at going out on best at the largest level of their trade.
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It’s been greater than two decades since Cena’s first WrestleMania fit, and greater than 10 years for the reason that ultimate time he vied for the WWE championship on wrestling’s grandest level. Cena is ready to headline WrestleMania 41, ultimate out a weekend of motion at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in opposition to Cody Rhodes with an opportunity at a record-setting seventeenth international name.
The ultimate bankruptcy of Cena’s tale has been constructed upon each tale that got here ahead of it — each and every rival leaving their mark. And so, ahead of Cena dons his jean shorts for one ultimate commute down an enormous WrestleMania ramp, let’s glance again at 10 WrestleMania fits that experience formed Cena’s legacy — with insights from 5 of Cena’s WrestleMania fighters during the last two decades: Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, The Miz, JBL and Austin Concept.
Austin Concept defeated John Cena at WrestleMania 39 in 2023. Picture via Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs
10. WrestleMania 39: John Cena vs. Austin Concept (champion) for the WWE United States championship (April 2023)
Cena is making an attempt to make historical past this weekend, however there is a sturdy argument that he has accomplished up to any WWE famous person to form the historical past of america championship, too.
This fit in opposition to Concept was once the 3rd and ultimate time Cena would strive against for the U.S. name on a WrestleMania card. The primary time Cena wrestled for that belt, at WrestleMania 20, Concept was once simplest 7 years outdated — and with reference to to change into a Cena superfan.
“I used to be tremendous invested in the entire environment of wrestling,” Concept instructed ESPN. “Like a real-life superhero film each time you watch it. John Cena, after I noticed his persona and the way he carried himself, whether or not he is combating one man or 5 guys or the sector’s in opposition to him, simply that perspective — stay shifting ahead and do not give up.”
Speedy-forward a couple of years, and Concept had a date with Cena at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after profitable america championship in opposition to Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in overdue November 2022. Prior to they might get to WrestleMania, on the other hand, there was once a second on “Monday Evening Uncooked” when Concept stood reverse his hero and were given verbally smacked down.
“Oh, guy, he cooked my ass,” Concept stated. “However I feel that is the a laugh in it, proper? It was once in Boston, his place of birth, so I simply knew I used to be strolling in there, those individuals are going to hate me and John Cena goes to get me.”
That night time, Concept soaked up the power from the greater than 67,000 enthusiasts in attendance, went toe-to-toe along with his wrestling hero, and (with just a little assist from a low blow) beat Cena in the midst of the hoop and walked out along with his name intact. Concept were given to experience yet another particular second behind the scenes.
“After the fit, I spoke with Cena. We took a photograph in combination, and he instructed me to in point of fact experience this second — take it in, and do not let it cross.”
John Cena’s first WrestleMania win was once in opposition to Giant Display in 2004. Courtesy of WWE
9. WrestleMania 20: John Cena vs. The Giant Display (c) for the WWE United States championship (March 2004)
Cena’s first WrestleMania fit had some parallels with Concept’s. Cena was once in his mid-20s, in a position to damage out, searching for his first WWE championship at Madison Sq. Lawn.
Dressed in a New York Knicks Patrick Ewing No. 33 jersey, Cena verbally laid into his opponent that night time, Giant Display. The offended massive quickly charged towards the hoop, and the fit was once on. Upon getting Giant Display up for a couple of F-U strikes (later referred to as the Perspective Adjustment) and a shot to the jaw with a jewel-encrusted set of brass knuckles, Cena was once victorious.
Greater than a 12 months ahead of he’d flip the WWE championship into the memorable spinner belt model of the name he is so intently tied to, Cena in a similar fashion blinged out america championship for the length (114 days) of his first reign.
John Cena defeated JBL for the WWE championship at WrestleMania 21. Picture via John Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Members of the family
8. WrestleMania 21: John Cena vs. JBL (c) for the WWE championship (April 2005)
Lengthy ahead of he had an opportunity at name No. 17, Cena needed to recover from the hump along with his first WWE international championship reign. Just about two years after his first shot at a global name, Cena was once covered up as a fan favourite reverse one of the vital hated villains of that generation: protecting international champion JBL (John “Bradshaw” Layfield).
Layfield had spent the majority of his WWE occupation referred to as Bradshaw, a tag workforce wrestler — maximum significantly as part of The Acolytes, later referred to as the APA. Inside 3 months of the APA’s ultimate breakup in 2004, JBL was once a brand new guy — a well-polished heel whose meteoric upward push led him to a global championship fit in opposition to Eddie Guerrero — a fit JBL received.
“It was once one thing that got here overdue in my occupation,” Layfield instructed ESPN. “Kurt Attitude was once harm, Giant Display was once harm and Brock Lesnar had left to head battle within the UFC. They wanted any person straight away to battle Eddie Guerrero, and I simply came about to be the fellow.
“It was once a super scenario with Eddie on account of my persona and how it was once — they simply went in point of fact effectively in combination. After that, I started working with Corridor of Famer after Corridor of Famer.”
Thru fits in opposition to Guerrero, Attitude, Booker T and Giant Display, Layfield’s name reign stretched on for just about a 12 months, one thing unprecedented in that generation. On the finish of that line stood Cena, primed for a breakout and a global name to certify him as the fellow in WWE. In about six weeks of TV, JBL and Cena constructed super stress and primed enthusiasts for Cena’s giant win at WrestleMania 21.
The WrestleMania fit — simply over 11 mins — was once a mechanism to crown Cena and provides JBL his comeuppance. The name rematch that adopted, a brutal “I Hand over” fit a month later at Judgment Day, was once the actual in-ring vintage. However dethroning JBL at WrestleMania 21 was once crucial step on that trail.
“Each and every champion that comes alongside that transcends the game has to stroll thru hell,” Layfield stated. “Bret Hart did it for Stone Chilly. Mick Foley did it for Triple H and The Rock. And I sought after to do this for John. The enthusiasts have were given to look that, if they are able to imagine of their man.”
John Cena defended america championship in opposition to Rusev at WrestleMania 31. Picture via Jed Jacobsohn /Sports activities Illustrated by means of Getty Photographs
7. WrestleMania 31: John Cena vs. Rusev (c) for the WWE United States championship (March 2015)
Ten years in the past, Cena walked into Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, amid an id disaster. He was once virtually a 12 months got rid of from his fifteenth international name reign, and it felt more and more transparent that Cena would not withstand the decision of Hollywood without end.
However this fit in opposition to Rusev at WrestleMania 31 reputedly ignited one thing deep within him.
“He is this type of trainer. He is so excellent,” Rusev stated in 2022 on Kurt Attitude’s podcast. “[He asked], ‘What is your 4 perfect strikes?’ That is what I discovered from him that I make the most of to these days. He asks you as a result of he simply desires to spotlight you in the most efficient spots and the most efficient mild. He is simply looking to perceive in his head the place he will put the ones 4 perfect strikes.”
The fit was once a natural throwback — Cena, the sympathetic hero, in opposition to the reputedly unbeatable international adversary who had by no means been pinned or submitted in WWE. To hammer house the imagery, Rusev entered the hoop on best of a tank.
Cena had one among his perfect in-ring performances at this WrestleMania, and his victory kicked off one of the vital memorable stretches of Cena’s occupation as he took on all comers in a summer season’s price of U.S. Open Demanding situations in opposition to one of the largest emerging stars within the corporate.
The Miz was once the second one wrestler to defeat John Cena at WrestleMania. Courtesy WWE
6. WrestleMania 27: John Cena vs. The Miz (c) for the WWE championship (April 2011)
The end result of the primary occasion appeared inevitable. Enthusiasts had noticed this tale ahead of: Cena strolling into the most important tale of the 12 months as a global name challenger in opposition to a cowardly champion reputedly past due for comeuppance. On this example, it was once The Miz, a champion who had claimed the name from the shadows with the Cash within the Financial institution briefcase.
Miz’s upward push to the highest have been meteoric, from MTV fact exhibit superstar to United States champion, to Mr. Cash within the Financial institution, to WWE champion. And, in one thing of a serendipitous flip of occasions, Miz incomes the distinction and self assurance to tackle this type of function in the primary occasion of WrestleMania can also be traced again to a couple of Ecu excursions the place he were given to strive against Cena on untelevised are living occasions.
“This was once a time while you cross to Europe, you’ve 10 to fifteen are living occasions and I used to be going up in opposition to John Cena,” The Miz instructed ESPN. “And what does each best excellent man wish to cross up in opposition to? They wish to cross in opposition to without equal uber heel, the worst of the worst, the unhealthy man that does not get appreciate. And I used to be getting extra warmth than any one, and so I used to be doing that, all whilst studying from Cena.”
The Miz appeared destined to be some other test mark on Cena’s WrestleMania checklist, however a humorous factor came about alongside the street to the Georgia Dome: The Miz legitimized himself within the eyes of numerous enthusiasts.
There was once The Miz’s incredible, however extremely efficient, affect of The Rock, which gave him the higher quit Cena. After which, simply ahead of the primary occasion entrances, got here what has change into one of the crucial signature moments of The Miz’s occupation — the “Hate Me Now” vignette.
The fit is understood for a few key moments: The Miz legitimately getting knocked out and reportedly struggling a concussion, after which The Rock, the WrestleMania grasp of ceremonies restarting the fit and laying out Cena to arrange a long term fit, and opening the door for The Miz to be simply the second one wrestler to pin Cena at WrestleMania.
“I am very grateful that I used to be in that fit with John Cena in addition to Mike Chioda — the referee — in addition to The Rock,” The Miz stated. “They took care of me. I do not know what would have came about if I am going down they usually simply forestall all the fit. That may were the most important be apologetic about of my existence. I used to be protected and I used to be ready to complete what had to be accomplished for this leading occasion of WrestleMania. I am without end grateful.”
WrestleMania 22 was once the primary time John Cena walked into the development as WWE champion. Courtesy of WWE
5. WrestleMania 22: John Cena (c) vs. Triple H for the WWE championship (April 2006)
Of the entire milestones in this checklist, an oft-overlooked second is Cena’s first show-closing fit in opposition to Triple H. It was once additionally the primary time Cena walked right into a WrestleMania as a WWE international champion.
In spite of being in the course of one of the vital dominant international name reigns of his occupation, his 2nd general, Cena nonetheless needed to cope with a portion of the fan base yelling, “You’ll’t strive against.” Despite the fact that a few of the ones chants persevered and grew louder because the 12 months went on, this fit went far towards proving that Cena may placed on a WrestleMania main-event high quality fit.
For the primary of simplest two cases in his occupation, Cena walked in and walked out as WWE champion. And if you would like an Easter egg on this fit, stay an in depth eye on Cena’s Chicago-themed front for a long term WWE champion and WrestleMania 41 leading eventer.
John Cena and Bray Wyatt had one among WWE’s maximum surreal fits at WrestleMania 36. Courtesy of WWE
4. WrestleMania 36: Firefly Funhouse fit: John Cena vs. ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt (April 2020)
WrestleMania 36 was once moved from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to the WWE Efficiency Heart in Orlando, Florida, weeks after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of no enthusiasts have been allowed to wait, it was once a exhibit that had each explanation why to flop, and but from the ashes rose one of the vital splendidly surreal “fits” of Cena’s WWE occupation in opposition to “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.
The Firefly Funhouse fit was once an artistic playground during which Cena and Wyatt ran thru Cena’s occupation in surreal style, together with a glance again at their first main conflict at WrestleMania 30 in April 2014. In a 2024 interview with Chris Van Vliet, Cena recalled the unusual cases that resulted in the fruition of the Firefly Funhouse fit.
“I have in mind there was once 3 other people in one of the crucial convention rooms at NXT,” Cena stated. “And I stated, ‘What is a Firefly Funhouse fit?’ They stated, ‘I do not know,’ and I stated, ‘Nice! What are we able to do?’… Holy s—, we will be able to make this a meta take a look at my existence. What do we now have within the warehouse … the [SmackDown] fist, the blue cage, I will get some nWo stuff. Dude, we will be able to make this paintings. I remember the fact that’s the one fit I have ever written from begin to end.”
John Cena’s first WrestleMania loss was once at WrestleMania 24 in opposition to Randy Orton and Triple H. Courtesy of WWE
3. WrestleMania 24: John Cena vs. Randy Orton (c) vs. Triple H for the WWE championship (March 2008)
As the general bankruptcy of Cena’s in-ring wrestling occupation is written, it sort of feels transparent that no performer had as a lot affect, or was once extra influenced via Cena, than Orton. Between main displays and untelevised are living occasions, the pair has shared a hoop greater than 300 instances.
Their first fit was once an afterthought on a Brian Pillman tribute exhibit 25 years in the past — two guys set to coach at Ohio Valley Wrestling for a long term within the WWE. Early on of their time in Louisville, Kentucky, Orton recalled the primary second he knew there was once one thing other about Cena.
“In WWE developmental, there was once this man named BJ Payne,” Orton instructed ESPN. “Jim Cornette sought after BJ to chop a promo at the spot, in entrance of everyone. BJ, bless his center, more or less simply stood there for a 2nd — cat had his tongue. And proper then and there, Cena stood up and simply minimize a promo. It was once storytelling 101. We have been at the fringe of our seat like, ‘Oh, this man is in point of fact f—ing particular.’ That was once the primary time I spotted, ‘Oh guy, I will know this man for the remainder of my existence.'”
Orton and Cena shared the hoop in 21 international name fits between Uncooked, SmackDown and pay-per-view occasions over the following 20 years. However someway, the triple danger WWE championship fit at WrestleMania 24 that still featured Triple H was once the one time Cena and Orton met at WrestleMania.
Orton walked into that fit as champion, and as a lot of a foul man as he had ever been. And but on this fit, like such a lot of in their clashes ahead of, Orton had the original problem of coping with enthusiasts cut up on how they felt about Cena. However in Orton’s thoughts, it was once as simple as each fit he and Cena ever had.
“He’s so over that part the group loves him, part the group hates him,” Orton stated. “I knew how fortunate I used to be to be in that ring with him as a result of the ones enthusiasts have been so f—ing loud, guy. Whilst they have been chanting, ‘Let’s cross Cena, Cena sucks,’ there’s no higher circumstance for a wrestler when they’re simply screaming on the best in their lungs all the fit, whether or not they love you or hate you.
“The ‘Cena sucks’ other people, they are liking the entirety I do to John to get him down. I am the unhealthy man and I am getting cheers, which is bizarre, as a result of that would not be the best way it will be if I used to be within the ring with some other wrestler. It was once such a lot a laugh to be part of as a result of there may be not anything worse than an target audience that does not wish to be there sitting on their fingers … it was once by no means like that with John — the group was once at all times into it.”
On that night time, Orton stunned the sector when he kicked Triple H within the head, pinned Cena and delivered the primary WrestleMania lack of Cena’s occupation. However there can be many extra chapters of their tale.
John Cena and The Rock wrestled in the primary occasion of WrestleMania 28 and 29. Picture via Ron Elkman/Sports activities Imagery/Getty Photographs
2. WrestleMania 28 and 29: John Cena vs. The Rock (April 2012 and April 2013)
Enthusiasts needed to wait a 12 months to get what they concept can be Cena’s retribution for the assault The Rock perpetrated on Cena at WrestleMania 27. WrestleMania 28 was once a conflict between two generational superstars who had expanded their achieve into mainstream tradition, and but Cena and The Rock may by no means forget about the gravitational pull of the wrestling ring.
The primary conflict was once a homecoming for The Rock at Miami’s Solar Lifestyles Stadium, as the previous Miami Storm stepped in for his first one-on-one wrestling fit in a decade. Overconfidence besieged Cena, and left the door open for The Rock to say victory — and set the level for one ultimate conflict.
12 months later, the WWE championship was once at the line at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Cena captured his thirteenth occupation WWE international name that night time, and that might reputedly be their ultimate bankruptcy. However fast-forward a decade, and the ripples from this pairing are nonetheless being felt. A 12 months after Cena interceded within the WrestleMania 40 leading occasion to assist Rhodes defeat The Rock’s cousin and best friend Roman Reigns, The Rock performed an important function in Cena’s heel flip forward of WrestleMania 41.
John Cena and Shawn Michaels stole the exhibit at WrestleMania 23. Courtesy of WWE
1. WrestleMania 23: John Cena (c) vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE championship (April 2007)
There may be an understatement to this fit coming in at No. 1 in this checklist as it was once by no means supposed to occur. Just like Cena getting his comeuppance on The Rock, Triple H had a rating he was once supposed to settle in opposition to Cena from WrestleMania 22. However after an damage left Triple H at the shelf, his D-Era X spouse Michaels stepped again into the highlight.
“I simply checked out it as an incredible alternative, to be one of the crucial guys that might for sure proceed to solidify John as our No. 1 man, and the fellow that was once going to be wearing the corporate,” Michaels instructed ESPN. “There may be more or less two kinds of other people that you are operating with [as the top guy] — the fellows that might somewhat have that spot than you, and guys that beef up you. I used to be at a spot in my occupation the place I used to be 100% dedicated to having the most efficient fit with John that we most likely may.”
The conflict at Detroit’s Ford Box did all of that after which some for Cena, who placed on what is well known as the most efficient WrestleMania in-ring efficiency of his occupation. For the second one and ultimate time in his occupation, Cena walked in and walked out as WWE international champion. However this fit epitomises the entirety that his and Michaels’ careers are constructed upon.
And regardless of being the “fall man” for Cena within the fit and tale, Michaels would have a occupation resurgence that carried him into the top of his in-ring occupation. One month later, Cena and Michaels clashed in a memorable hour-long conflict in London, and met once more a couple of extra instances. Michaels put in combination one of the crucial perfect WrestleMania runs of his occupation from there, wrestling Ric Aptitude in his WWE retirement fit, adopted via two classics in opposition to The Undertaker.
“I at all times attempted to make certain that I used to be 100% ready for any WrestleMania fit that I had,” Michaels stated. “At the moment I used to be operating with John, I had no concept what the years forward had in retailer for me. You’ll’t name your self Mr. WrestleMania and no longer get a name of getting to accomplish at that degree at that exhibit. I had each goal of constructing positive John and I have been going to paintings our butts off.
“I imply this lovingly, I do not care no matter degree he was once at. I wished him to achieve a better degree that night time — with a bit of luck the perfect degree he’d ever met at the moment — as a result of that is what I for sure be expecting for myself, and that’s the reason what I be expecting from the fellows which might be within the ring with me. I feel John knew that, and that’s the reason one thing I have at all times preferred about him. I imagine it’s one thing that John took very significantly on the time; he sought after to be at his easiest as effectively.”
