Having spent over twenty years within the enterprise, John Cena has had an up-close and private view of a number of the greatest to ever wrestle. A 17-time WWE Champion, Cena is a legend in his personal proper, however even legends admire others, and The Champ lifted the lid on who his favorite rivals are.
Since John Cena introduced his upcoming departure from the stage at Cash within the Financial institution in Toronto, Canada, the farewell tour has delighted audiences with memorable moments aplenty, from a shock heel flip to match-ups in opposition to a few of The Physician of Thuganomics’ largest adversaries, an all-out brawl with CM Punk at Evening of Champions and a face-off with the legendary Randy Orton at Backlash, to the unforgettable last WrestleMania look as he defeated Cody Rhodes to win his seventeenth WWE Championship. It has been nothing wanting an eventful sendoff for the soon-to-be-retired wrestler who will depart WWE for good this December.
Having initially debuted all the best way again in June 2002, rising to the open problem offered by Corridor of Famer, Kurt Angle, together with his iconic “ruthless aggression” assertion, Cena’s quick rise to prominence would solely proceed from right here on in, culminating in his first singles championship after overcoming The Massive Present to win america Championship. What adopted was unprecedented world reputation on a scale not seen since Hulk Hogan and The Rock.
However as many within the enterprise are conscious, wrestlers can solely shine with rivals that may match them; fortunately, through the years, Cena has been spoiled for alternative on the subject of worthy opponents and named these elite few as his “wrestling soulmates.”
Randy Orton
“The Legend Killer” wants no introduction as one of many best to face off in opposition to John Cena, with the pair arguably producing one of many definitive rivalries in wrestling’s historical past and simply one of many sport’s longest.
Who might neglect the long-lasting SummerSlam 2007? Cena and Orton had been arguably of their prime and produced a stunning show for the onlookers on this title match-up that had RKOs and submissions aplenty. The legendary ‘I Give up’ match at Breaking Level in 2009 was one other that saved followers on the sting of their seats.
Edge
Maybe one of many ruthless aggression period’s most interesting rivalries, the pair’s hatred for each other was paramount to their success. Usually at odds over their shared quests for title glory, their Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at Unforgiven in 2006 for the WWE Championship was constructed on the again of dwelling invasions, hometown face-offs, and even a slap within the face of The Champ’s father.
The match that adopted produced arguably the head of this feud. Not many within the sport had a solution to Cena’s dominance on the summit, however the man behind The Spear was all the time as much as the duty.
CM Punk
A rivalry that started again in 2009 all the time produced drama of the best order, as The Voice of the Unvoiced appeared to dislodge his rival as the highest canine within the wrestling hierarchy.
Cash within the Financial institution 2011 is usually cited as the height of what the 2 delivered to the desk when it comes to leisure, with the backdrop that if Punk had been to win the WWE Championship, he vowed to depart with the title. Vince McMahon vowed to John Cena that if this had been allowed to occur, he can be fired from the organisation.
Their long-standing rivalry was reignited at Evening of Champions not too long ago as the 2 fought as soon as extra for title glory within the type of the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Seth Rollins
The six-time world champion has had loads of runs in with the Face of the WWE through the years, with these match-ups by no means failing to lift one another to higher heights.
The Architect was in a position to duke it out with Cena at a time when he was arguably the completed product and on the top of his talents. The end result of what the pair produced collectively was the long-lasting “Winner Takes All” match-up for the WWE and United States Championships on the twenty third of August 2015, which catapulted Rollins to new heights and is usually seen as one of many best matches in both wrestler’s profession.
AJ Kinds
The more moderen rivalry between Cena/Kinds was kicked into overdrive when the latter turned heel. Debuting in 2016, numerous belief was thrown AJ’s manner with large expectations and display time with a number of the roster’s hottest members, as he clashed with each Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns in his quest for WWE glory earlier than setting his sights on John Cena.
Whereas it wasn’t essentially as long-lasting as a number of the different feuds listed, it produced many unforgettable moments regardless of its comparatively short-lived nature. The Royal Rumble of 2017 was the peak of what the 2 produced collectively, as Cena created extra historical past by equalling Ric Aptitude’s 16 World Championships.
Cody Rhodes
The ultimate entry on this record wants no introduction. The American Nightmare has performed an integral half in Cena’s farewell tour and has been current at a few of his largest moments in current reminiscence. Lastly turning heel in a second that despatched shockwaves round WWE and past, Cena did the unthinkable and attacked Cody Rhodes in a transfer that arrange a date with future at WrestleMania 41 in what can be his last look on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The victory on the evening belonged to the 48-year-old, who bowed out of the largest stage in wrestling on a constructive observe. Rhodes wouldn’t have to attend lengthy, nevertheless, to get his revenge at SummerSlam in a Road Battle predominant occasion, as he produced a Cross Rhodes to as soon as extra win the title in what was an emotional finish that signalled a passing of the torch.
Whereas it’s unclear whether or not the pair will battle it out additional earlier than John Cena calls time on his profession, the wrestlers have undoubtedly created historical past collectively in current months, making Rhodes’ addition to Cena’s private record one that every one wrestling followers can respect.
