Let’s be honest. For a solid chunk of the mid-2000s, hating on John Cena was the cool thing to do. If you were a “smart mark” in an internet forum, you likely spent hours typing out manifestos about his “five moves of doom” and how he was burying your favorite indie darlings. But now that we are staring down the barrel of his actual retirement, it’s time to swallow that pride and admit the truth: He delivered when it counted.
Over a 23-year career, the man evolved from a vanilla bodybuilder in ruthless aggression shorts to the undisputed face of the company, and eventually, the savvy veteran who put over the next generation. As he prepares to hang up the jorts for good against Gunther, we’re looking back at the moments where Cena wasn’t just a marketing machine, but a genuinely fantastic professional wrestler.
1. Vs. CM Punk (Money in the Bank 2011)
Yeah, this one is a no-brainer, as the atmosphere in Chicago that night was hostile territory on steroids. If he won, there might have been a literal riot. The storytelling here was impeccable, blending reality with fiction. Cena played the stoic corporate soldier against Punk’s anti-authority rebel. It wasn’t the crispest technical bout ever, but for pure emotion and drama? It’s untouchable. There is a reason Cena called CM Punk his wrestling soulmate.
2. Vs. AJ Styles (Royal Rumble 2017)
I love all of Cena’s matches with AJ Styles, but this one at the Royal Rumble 2017 show is my favorite. Did you know that they didn’t leave the ring once for this match? They didn’t need tables or chairs. They just countered each other’s biggest moves for what felt like an eternity. Cena hitting a double Attitude Adjustment to tie Ric Flair’s record of 16 world titles was the only way this could have ended. It was wrestling art.
3. Vs. Daniel Bryan (SummerSlam 2013)
Cena wrestled this match with a tricep that looked like a grapefruit was smuggling itself under his skin. Despite the injury, he went hold-for-hold with the technical wizardry of Daniel Bryan. Cena taking the running knee cleanly to the face was a shock to the system, launching the “Yes! Movement” into the stratosphere.
4. Vs. Edge (Unforgiven 2006)
This wasn’t just a wrestling match; it was an act of hostility in Edge’s backyard of Toronto. A Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match is usually a spot-fest, but these two infused it with genuine hatred. The visual of him putting Edge through two stacked tables from the top of the ladder remains one of the most violent, jaw-dropping finishes of that era. It proved Cena could hang in the “hardcore” deep end without looking out of place.
5 Vs. Cody Rhodes (SummerSlam 2025)
Cena’s final year in WWE has been a massive disappointment, but one of the highlights of that run is this match. After a failed heel run, Cena returned to the light to face Cody Rhodes. This was the passing of the torch we actually wanted. He didn’t just lose; he made Rhodes look like a deity. It was a masterclass in how to go out on your shield while ensuring the company is in safe hands. Then Brock Lesnar came out, and it went downhill at Wrestlepalooza.
Final Thoughts On Cena’s Top 5 Matches
Those are my Top 5 favorite matches in Cena’s career. This is super subjective, but it will be interesting to see other fans’ Top 5 Cena matches. So, what are your favorite matches? Do you agree?
