Top 5 John Cena WrestleMania matches that defined his WWE legacy

Time of India

21-04-2025

John Cena's most memorable WrestleMania matches define an entire generation of WWE. After more than two decades as the face of the company, Cena is wrapping things up at
WrestleMania 41
against Cody Rhodes. It's his final shot to claim that record-breaking 17th world title. But before we get there, let's rewind. From epic title wins to unexpected losses, here are the WrestleMania matches that made Cena the legend he is today.
WrestleMania 20: John Cena vs. Big Show for the WWE United States Championship (2004)
FULL MATCH — Big Show vs. John Cena — U.S. Title Match: WrestleMania XX
Cena's first WrestleMania match was messy, but iconic. Facing Big Show at Madison Square Garden, Cena pulled off a huge moment. Literally. He lifted the 500-pound giant onto his shoulders, dropped him with the F-U (now Attitude Adjustment), and snagged the WWE United States Championship. Sure, he used brass knuckles, but who cares? This moment marked Cena's rise as a legit star, and it set the stage for the next decade. Not perfect wrestling, but unforgettable for Cena fans.
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WrestleMania 21: John Cena vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the WWE Championship (2005)
FULL MATCH - John Cena vs. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield – WWE Championship Match: WrestleMania 21
The match wasn't thrilling, but the outcome changed WWE history. JBL had been WWE Champion for 280 days, and the crowd hated him. Cena stepped up, and the match itself? It was short, not flashy, just straightforward. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment, pinned JBL, and became WWE Champion for the first time. No fancy moves, no complicated spots, just Cena becoming the face of the company. This victory started the Cena era in WWE.
WrestleMania 22: John Cena vs. Triple H for the WWE Championship (2006)
Story of John Cena vs. Triple H | WrestleMania 22
This was Cena's big test. Triple H, one of the greatest heels in wrestling history, had the Chicago crowd firmly on his side. Cena entered as the champion but faced a hostile arena chanting "You can't wrestle!" Instead of crumbling, Cena stepped up, wrestled a solid match, and forced Triple H to tap out with the STF. Cena retained his WWE Championship and proved that he belonged in WWE's main event scene. It wasn't flashy, but it mattered—Cena was here to stay, and the crowd just had to deal with it.
WrestleMania 23: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship (2007)
FULL MATCH: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels – WWE Title Match: WrestleMania 23
Easily Cena's best in-ring WrestleMania match, and it's all thanks to Shawn Michaels. Known as "Mr. WrestleMania," Michaels pulled the best out of Cena. They wrestled for nearly half an hour, zero fluff, just pure wrestling and storytelling. Cena locked in the STF again, forcing Michaels to submit. Fans may not have liked Cena, but after this match, they had to respect him. It was Cena at his wrestling peak—no nonsense, no controversy, just the best match of his career.
WrestleMania 28: John Cena vs. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson – Once in a Lifetime (2012)
FULL MATCH - The Rock vs. John Cena: WrestleMania XXVIII
Cena versus The Rock felt unreal, even though it had been hyped for an entire year. The Rock, returning to his hometown Miami, hadn't wrestled a singles match in nearly a decade. Cena was WWE's full-time megastar. The atmosphere was unmatched—fans divided, noise off the charts. The match delivered huge spots, both stars trading finishers, until Cena got cocky and attempted a mocking People's Elbow. Rock caught him, nailed a Rock Bottom, and Cena lost clean. It was Cena's biggest loss, shocking everyone who expected WWE's poster boy to win. Sure, they did a rematch the next year, but nothing topped this night—when Cena, for once, was truly humbled.
Cena's WrestleMania legacy is a wild ride. Wins, losses, unforgettable moments. Love him or hate him, these matches made Cena the defining WWE superstar of his era. Now, let's see if he has one more legendary moment left at WrestleMania 41.