John Cena’s extensive wrestling career, spanning over two decades, includes countless memorable bouts, but some matches he participated in are so unusual or overlooked they defy belief. From facing off against non-wrestlers to engaging in rare match types, these John Cena forgotten wrestling matches reveal a side of his <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE journey that many fans may have missed or chosen to ignore.
When John Cena Took On WWE’s General Manager for the Championship
In a rare and surprising moment during WWE RAW on October 2, 2005, John Cena defended his WWE Championship against Eric Bischoff, the then-RAW General Manager. This no disqualification match lasted only two minutes and forty-four seconds, but the peculiarity lies in Bischoff’s role as a non-wrestler challenging for the prestigious WWE title. Bischoff had declared war on Cena’s “thug nature” and rapping, which escalated into this title match, with Kurt Angle present at ringside trying to interfere. Despite the interference attempt, Cena overcame Bischoff with ease, marking an odd chapter in Cena’s championship defenses that felt more like a confusing, Vince Russo-style storyline than a legitimate contest.
When Cena Fell to the Monster Heel Lord Tensai
On April 16, 2012, John Cena faced Lord Tensai—formerly known as Albert and A-Train—in an Extreme Rules match on RAW that stunned many. Tensai had returned to WWE with a giant “monster heel” persona after wrestling in Japan, but received little respect from the audience. Surprisingly, Tensai defeated Cena in this high-stakes encounter lasting ten minutes, a rare documented loss for the Doctor of Thuganomics. Despite WWE’s efforts to push Tensai, this match remains an odd highlight given how little impact Tensai had on Cena’s career moving forward.
An Unlikely Battle Against ECW Legend Sabu in a Lumberjack Match
John Cena once faced ECW legend Sabu in a Lumberjack Match at WWE Vengeance 2006, a contest that sounds like an improbable fantasy created by wrestling video game players. The extreme, chaotic match went for just under seven minutes, with Sabu bringing his hardcore ECW style into the ring. While the bout featured exciting spots, Cena ultimately triumphed, ending the match victoriously over an iconic but unconventional opponent in a format rarely seen on WWE’s main roster.
Teaming Up Against the Odds in a 17-On-2 Handicap Match
In one of the most bizarre moments in WWE RAW history on March 17, 2008, John Cena and rival Randy Orton were forced to work together against the entire RAW roster in a 17-on-2 elimination handicap match. Facing notable wrestlers such as Brian Kendrick, Carlito, Cody Rhodes, Jim Duggan, Santino Marella, and others, Cena and Orton fought through the overwhelming numbers for over eight minutes. The match ended in disqualification after chaos erupted, interrupted by the arrival of Triple H, who attacked both competitors. This highly unusual storyline reflected the tense road to WrestleMania 24 but remains a strange outlier in Cena’s career.
John Cena’s Rare Three Stages of Hell Victory Over Ryback
At WWE Payback 2013, John Cena and Ryback clashed in a rare and intense Three Stages of Hell match defending the WWE Championship. Running nearly twenty-five minutes, this brutal contest featured three unique stipulations: a Lumberjack match, a Tables match, and an Ambulance match. Although this match type traditionally reserved for the most heated personal rivalries seemed like an odd fit for Cena and Ryback’s feud, Cena ultimately prevailed two falls to one, retaining his title. This match stands as an exceptional but peculiar highlight in Cena’s long list of championship defenses.
Mixed Tag Team Chaos: Cena and Dawn Marie’s UK Showdown
Early in his WWE career, John Cena found himself in an uncomfortable mixed tag team match alongside Dawn Marie against Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson during WWE Rebellion 2002. Lasting just over five minutes, this match took place during WWE’s UK pay-per-view tour and was part of the infamous Marie vs. Wilson rivalry, widely criticized as one of WWE’s least credible and most chaotic storylines. Cena’s involvement in this trashy feud hardly reflected his later wrestling stature, making this match an unsettling footnote in his extensive career.
When John Cena and Sting Joined Forces on RAW
On September 14, 2015, John Cena teamed up with Sting for a unique tag team match against Big Show and Seth Rollins on a random WWE RAW episode. Their partnership was surprising and seemingly out of place on regular programming, as Sting’s presence in WWE was itself rare at the time. The nine-minute match showcased Cena taking a beating before Sting’s hot tag turned the tide, resulting in a hard-fought babyface victory over members of The Authority. Though basic in execution, this match remains fascinating because of its one-time-only pairing of WWE icons.
Facing Future WWE Legend Bryan Danielson Early in His Career
Long before Daniel Bryan became a WWE star, John Cena faced his earlier persona, Bryan Danielson, on WWE Velocity on February 4, 2003. This quick singles match lasted under four minutes, with Danielson working as enhancement talent to put over the young Cena. Given Danielson’s future status as one of WWE’s top performers, it’s remarkable to look back at this match, which sneaks quietly into Cena’s vast portfolio of opponents years before their high-profile 2013 SummerSlam main event.
John Cena’s Surprising No Disqualification Bout Against Michael Cole
On June 4, 2012, John Cena participated in a No Disqualification match against WWE commentator Michael Cole in the main event of RAW. This contest, lasting over five minutes, was widely considered one of the worst main events WWE produced. Cena mercilessly dominated Cole, ridiculing and physically overpowering him until the match’s inevitable conclusion. The match’s very existence perplexes fans, leaving many wondering why such an extraordinary mismatch was given a prominent slot on a major show.
The Bizarre Street Fight Against Jesus for the United States Championship
At WWE Armageddon 2004, John Cena defended the United States Championship in a Street Fight against Jesus, the bodyguard of fellow wrestler Carlito. This intense bout lasted nearly eight minutes and followed an unusual storyline where Jesus had stabbed Cena in a nightclub, raising the stakes for their violent confrontation. The peculiarity of Cena fighting a non-wrestler bodyguard for a major title in a hardcore setting adds one more surreal moment to his tapestry of matches, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Cena’s WWE tenure.
These ten John Cena forgotten wrestling matches illustrate the sometimes bewildering and chaotic landscape of WWE storytelling and booking. Whether due to unusual opponents, rare match formats, or strange storyline decisions, these contests stand out as unexpected chapters in Cena’s otherwise monumental career. While some of these matches were overlooked or poorly received at the time, they contribute to a broader understanding of the diverse and occasionally perplexing path John Cena’s wrestling journey has taken. Fans may reflect on these moments with mixed emotions, recognizing that even one of wrestling’s biggest stars has had his share of odd and uncomfortable matches that challenge the typical narratives of greatness and dominance.
