WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) shared his thoughts on what he considers to be the John Cena greatest WWE match, reflecting on their storied history. John Cena, who ended his in-ring career on December 13th after a loss to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC, leaves behind a legendary legacy as a 17-time WWE World Champion.
Looking Back on John Cena’s Illustrious WWE Career
John Cena’s farewell came after a hard-fought battle with Gunther, where, despite his mantra of never giving up, the crowd watched as he tapped out to a sleeper hold, signaling the close of an era. Fans witnessed a touching moment as Cena left his wrestling shoes in the ring, a gesture marking the end of his historic journey in WWE. His departure marks the conclusion of a 23-year run filled with championship victories and enduring popularity, capped by achieving a record-breaking 17 world titles and surpassing Ric Flair’s historic record as world champion.
Cena’s meteoric rise started at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, when he captured his first WWE Championship by defeating John Bradshaw Layfield, who had held the title for an impressive nine months. This victory served as a pivotal point, both for Cena’s career and the WWE at large, shaping a new era for the company.
JBL’s Reflections on John Cena’s Impact
Speaking with Videogamer.com, JBL reflected on the early days when WWE insiders believed Cena was destined for stardom, though few could have predicted the extent of his achievements in wrestling and beyond. JBL emphasized that while they recognized Cena’s potential, the scale of his accomplishments came as a surprise to many.
“Obviously I was there, I was the one that dropped the first title to him and he’d have been 17 time world Champion whether I was there or not, so I don’t want to take any credit for it and I’m not, I think we knew John was the guy, I don’t think we knew he was the guy that was going to be 17 time world champion to do all these movies and become one of the greatest of all time, nobody can see that.I’ve been so proud, he has been one of the greatest representatives of professional wrestling, sports, entertainment, whatever you want to call it, in the history of this business, he has been so good for this business. He is such a respectful guy, he’s such a smart guy, he carries himself so well, everything he does is first class.This business is really lucky to have him and the era he came along in the PG era, following the attitude era, there aren’t many people and probably it may be one and it may be him that could have done that. During that era to go from somebody flipping off the boss to all this crazy stuff we were doing in wrestling to a PG era and you can’t curse and still put people in seats and John Cena did it and I don’t know if there’s anybody else in the business history that could have done that like he did it.” – John Bradshaw Layfield, WWE Hall of Famer
JBL further discussed Cena’s role as an ambassador for WWE during the shift from the controversial Attitude Era to the more family-friendly PG Era. According to JBL, very few—if any—could have managed the transition as effectively as Cena, maintaining WWE’s mainstream appeal even as the content changed dramatically. He credited Cena’s professionalism, intelligence, and commitment to carrying himself with dignity throughout his tenure.
The “I Quit” Match at Judgment Day 2005: Cena’s Defining Moment
Among their many encounters, JBL singled out one match above all: the “I Quit” Match at WWE Judgment Day 2005. Taking place shortly after WrestleMania 21, the showdown between Cena and JBL was fiercely contested. In this brutal battle for the WWE Championship, Cena defended his title in a match characterized by its intensity and physical toll, ultimately retaining and ending their heated rivalry.
This particular bout is widely regarded as a standout performance from Cena’s early years. Many fans and experts look back at the contest as a testament to both competitors’ grit and storytelling ability. JBL, reflecting on the significance of this match, explained why he considers it the pinnacle of their in-ring rivalry:
“It was the ‘I quit match’ after the WrestleMania match, which I knew was done. The WrestleMania match was done just for a reason, to get him the title, get him the title clean and then after that we had the ‘I Quit match’ and I’d wrestled John on all these in house shows, live events they call them now and I knew how good he was, I knew how tough he was and I wanted to show that to the rest of the world, it’s a world of difference between going from an eight minute match to a 30 to 45 minute match that you have to really be able to take people on a rollercoaster, a completely different dynamic.Anybody can do an eight minute match or almost anybody. I knew how good he was and I wanted to show the world how good he was and I thought that ‘I Quit Match’ would show that and any champion that comes along that people want to get behind at some point have gotta walk through hell.Steve (Austin) had to walk through hell with Bret (Hart), Triple H and The Rock, he had to do something where you have to believe in him and I thought, if he can beat me in an ‘I Quit match’ it’ll show how good and tough he is and I thought he did a great job.” – John Bradshaw Layfield, WWE Hall of Famer
JBL explained that the “I Quit” match was designed not only to entertain the audience, but to showcase Cena’s resilience and toughness to the world. Comparing Cena’s journey to WWE legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bret Hart, Triple H, and The Rock, JBL noted that every champion must face grueling challenges to win over fans. The 30 to 45-minute match pushed both competitors to their limits, and JBL believed that this encounter truly displayed Cena’s abilities.
Cena’s Influence Beyond the Ring
Though John Cena has formally stepped away from professional wrestling, he continues to remain connected to WWE. He recently commented on social media about Matt Cardona’s anticipated return to the company on the first SmackDown episode of the year, underlining his ongoing interest in the wrestling industry and support for fellow talents.
Cena’s impact is visible not only in his competitive records and Hollywood success but also in the profound respect he commands from peers, fans, and industry veterans alike. From an era filled with larger-than-life personalities to the more reserved and family-oriented programming of recent years, Cena has been instrumental in WWE’s evolution, consistently representing the company at its highest standards.
The Legacy of John Cena’s Greatest WWE Match
The “I Quit” match at Judgment Day 2005 epitomizes what made Cena a top-tier superstar in WWE’s long history. Recognized by JBL as the highlight of their feud, the match stands as a defining moment that helped cement Cena’s reputation among wrestling’s greats. The respect and admiration shown by JBL, himself an influential figure, further validate the significance of their rivalry and this memorable contest in wrestling lore.
As WWE continues to evolve with new stars and moments, John Cena’s greatest WWE match remains a benchmark for excellence, passion, and the enduring spirit that defines the company’s champions. His legacy in WWE persists, inspiring both current stars and generations of fans who watched him rise to the very top of the professional wrestling world.
