The Great Eight: Top 8 John Cena Rivals

Two more dates. In just under a month, John Cena will wrestle his last match ever. For over half of his life, Cena has given his all to this crazy business. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the dedication and respect he has shown the business that gave him so much. I’ve not always been Cena’s biggest fan, but I always respected his passion.

While I feel that there were guys who might have missed out on being bigger stars, Cena was the one who showed up every night. He left it all in the ring and did his best to ensure every fan got their money’s worth. Also, after making this list, I think we can call Cena Mr. SummerSlam. So, as Cena winds down his career, let’s look back on some of his greatest rivals.

Disclaimers

Disclaimer: This is my list; if you don’t like it or have a different list, awesome! Please share your own list and opinions in the comments section. I welcome open discourse about this wacky art we all love. It is an art form, so it is subjective; we all have our opinions on it, and all of them are valid. So, if you want to share your thoughts and opinions, don’t insult others for their opinion. There is enough negativity in the world right now; let’s not add to it. And with that, on to the list!

HM: Umaga, JBL, Carlito, and Big Show

The Great Eight

8: Kevin Owens

During 2015, Cena would win the United States Championship and start an open challenge format for the championship. Owens was the NXT Champion at the time and would debut on Raw by attacking Cena. Their feud wasn’t a long one, but it was a memorable one. It was the first time Cena didn’t look bulletproof against someone who wasn’t Lesnar. The feud helped to establish Owens as a threat and helped to develop Cena into something more than Super Cena.

Matches to watch: Elimination Chamber 2015, Money in the Bank 2015, and Battleground 2015

7: Chris Jericho

Something most people don’t remember is that Jericho was Cena’s first real feud in the WWE. After debuting against Kurt Angle, Cena would feud with Jericho, leading to a match at Vengeance. It was their 2005 feud that fans probably remember more, though. Probably more for the fact that it led to Jericho’s first hiatus from the WWE.

Their 2008 feud would end Jericho’s amazing 2008 World Championship run, with Cena winning the title in his first match back. Jericho and Cena had great chemistry both in the ring and on the mic, and provided us fans with a lot of great memories.

Matches to watch: Armageddon 2008, SummerSlam 2005, Vengeance 2002, and Survivor Series 2008

6: Brock Lesnar

Lesnar and Cena would really kick off in 2003, when Cena earned a title shot at Backlash. While Cena would lose the match, he would soon debut the FU, mocking Lesnar’s F-5. They would face each other in tag matches a few more times before Lesnar left the company. It wasn’t until Lesnar’s return in 2014 that their rivalry really escalated. Lesnar’s destruction of Cena at SummerSlam was something we hadn’t seen before, and his brutality and strength became the one thing Cena couldn’t overcome.

Matches to Watch: Extreme Rules 2014, SummerSlam 2014, and Backlash 2003

5: AJ Styles

The face of the WWE vs the face of TNA. Their 2016 feud was something fans had talked about for over a decade by that point. It was the 2010s version of Flair vs Hogan, except this one happened before they were past their prime. Styles, like Punk, brought something out of Cena that few people could. It also helped that 2016 Cena was willing to try new things and change up his move set.

Only a few months into the company, Styles would turn on Cena and team up with The Good Brothers. Their first match at Money in the Bank would kick off a feud that ran into 2017, and gave Cena his record-tying 16th World Championship.

Matches to watch: Money in the Bank 2016, SummerSlam 2016, Royal Rumble 2017, and Crown Jewel 2025

4: Batista

If John Cena was the top guy, Batista was 1A. While Cena was holding down Raw, Batista was doing the same for SmackDown. While they took very different roads to the top, they were similar in many ways. Both were big, strong guys with loads of charisma and good looks. Neither of them was a work-rate guy, but they held their own in big matches and had good psychology.

Their 2010 feud had a lot of fun moments, and even though it was Batista’s last run, he brought his A game and gave Cena some great matches.

Matches to watch: SummerSlam 2008, Last Man Standing, Extreme Rules 2010, and the I Quit match, Over the Limit 2010

3: CM Punk

They had already had seven matches that year, with Punk sneaking out wins in six of them. But it was the Pipebomb, where Punk ripped into the entire company, Cena included, that really kicked things into high gear. Punk declared he would beat Cena at Money in the Bank and then leave the company. Which, shockingly, he did.

I don’t think many of us watching thought Punk would win, or that Punk would end up being one of Cena’s best in-ring rivals. But man, were we wrong. Not only did Punk beat Cena, but I don’t think anyone has ever really brought the best out of Cena like Punk did.

Matches to watch: Money in the Bank 2011, Night of Champions 2012, SummerSlam 2011, and Night of Champions 2025

2: Edge

From the moment Edge cashed in at New Year’s Revolution, he became one of Cena’s biggest and best rivals. The Rated R Superstar was a perfect foil for Cena, providing an amoral scum bag to Cena’s Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect. Beyond that, Edge represented a guy who had to fight for every opportunity.

While Cena only took three years to make it to the top, Edge spent eight years clawing his way up the ladder. Without Cena to play off, we may have never gotten Rated R Superstar Edge. And their rivalry gave us a lot of fun memories and awesome matches.

Matches to watch: SummerSlam 2006, Last Man Standing match, Backlash 2009, and TLC, Unforgiven 2006

1: Randy Orton

Two names that will forever be linked. Their rivalry started while both were still in OVW. When it comes to rivals of Cena, Orton has been the one who was always there. While Cena would always find a way to ultimately come out on top, Orton knew Cena’s weaknesses better than anyone. While your mileage may vary when it comes to match quality, you can’t dispute that Orton and Cena defined the PG era more than anyone else.

Orton was the Lex Luthor to Cena’s Superman. He also gave Cena a significant and consistent rival. Hogan had Piper, Austin had McMahon, and Cena had Orton.

Matches to watch: SummerSlam 2007, Iron Man match 2009 Bragging Rights, 2014 Hell in a Cell match Hell in a Cell 2014, and I Quit match Breaking Point 2009