Ranking John Cena’s Best WWE Wins (25 To 1)
25- John Cena vs. Rusev – WrestleMania 31 (United States Championship)
John Cena’s victory over Rusev at WrestleMania 31 for the US title was a classic underdog triumph, as Cena overcame the physically dominant Bulgarian Brute. The match allowed Cena to showcase his signature resilience and crowd-pleasing “never give up” attitude, engaging fans from start to finish. This win was pivotal in cementing Cena’s role as a consistent hero in WWE’s storylines. Defeating a powerhouse like Rusev at WrestleMania reinforced Cena’s reputation as a performer who could deliver high-stakes, emotionally engaging matches in WWE’s biggest arenas.
24- John Cena vs. Randy Orton – SummerSlam 2007 (WWE Championship)
John Cena’s victory over Randy Orton at SummerSlam 2007 was the first classic clash of two top-tier WWE talents. The match demonstrated Cena’s versatility and crowd-pleasing spots to overcome a cunning and heelish Orton. Although their continued throughout 2007 and till 2010, this first outing set the stage for perhaps the biggest rivalry of Cena’s legendary career.
23- John Cena vs. JBL – Judgment Day 2005 (WWE Championship)
John Cena’s victory over JBL at Judgment Day 2005 was a major early career milestone, as it was perhaps the bloodiest match of his career. The match demonstrated Cena’s skill in handling extreme gimmick encounters, proving he could carry the weight of the WWE Championship. This win also helped solidify Cena’s role as a new face of the company after winning the gold at WrestleMania 21 earlier in the year.
22- John Cena vs. Chris Jericho – Survivor Series 2008 (World Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena’s victory over Chris Jericho at Survivor Series 2008 highlighted his ability to adapt to opponents with diverse skill sets. Facing Jericho, a master of technical wrestling and in-ring psychology, Cena relied on his signature resilience and crowd engagement to overcome the Y2J mind games and secure the World title for the first time in his career. Moreover, this was Cena’s return after suffering a career-threatening neck injury at SummerSlam in a loss to Batista.
21- John Cena vs. Umaga – WWE Championship (Royal Rumble 2007)
John Cena’s victory over Umaga in a Last Man Standing match was a testament to his resilience and in-ring adaptability. Facing the Samoan Bulldozer, who was known for his sheer power and dominance, Cena had to rely on pure attrition to overcome one of the most physically intimidating opponents of his era. This win solidified Cena’s reputation as a fighting champion who could defeat larger, seemingly unstoppable adversaries. Moreover, the ending of the bout saw Cena use the ring rope to make Umaga unconscious and win the bout as he failed to answer the 10-count.
20- John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels – Survivor Series 2009 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s victory over Triple H and Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 2009 in a triple threat bout was a showcase of his ability to overcome two of WWE’s all-time greats in a single match. The match featured a twist when HBK superkicked HHH at the start of the bout to underline the ‘every man for himself’ motto. This win was significant not only because it reinforced Cena’s championship credibility but also because it demonstrated his ability to hold his own against legendary performers in high-stakes situations.
19- John Cena vs. Batista – Extreme Rules 2010 (WWE Championship)
At Extreme Rules 2010, Cena’s win over Batista in a Last Man Standing match was a testament to his resilience in hardcore-style matches. The bout featured chairs and high-impact moves, testing Cena’s endurance and ability to work in extreme conditions. The victory allowed Cena to retain his WWE Championship while proving he could thrive against physically imposing opponents in brutal match settings. The ending spot of the bout was iconic as Cena taped Batista’s legs against the ringpost, which prevented ‘The Animal’ from getting back on his feet before the referee’s 10 count.
18- John Cena vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison – (Extreme Rules 2011)
At Extreme Rules 2011, John Cena competed in the main event, a Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the WWE Championship. He defeated The Miz (the defending champion) and John Morrison, with the victory giving him his 10th World title. This win was vital as it led to his all-time feud with CM Punk in the summer of 2011, and then for the next two years till WrestleMania 29.
17- John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels – Backlash 2007 (WWE Championship)
Cena defeated Randy Orton, Edge, and Shawn Michaels in a Fatal-4 Way outing at Backlash 2007 in a match that highlighted his clever ring psychology and ability to counter three other crafty veterans. Moreover, this was after Cena’s marathon outing against HBK at WrestleMania 23. Winning this match further reinforced Cena’s credibility as WWE Champion and proved he could overcome technically skilled, high-profile opponents.
16- John Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show – WrestleMania 25 (World Heavyweight Championship)
At WrestleMania 25, Cena faced the daunting challenge of taking on Edge and Big Show in a high-stakes triple threat match for the World title. Cena’s victory over both opponents highlighted his resilience, strategic mind, and ability to overcome odds, delivering a performance filled with high spots and dramatic near falls that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The match was a solid outing and was most notable for Cena picking up both Edge and Big Show on his shoulders at the same time. That weight was around a combined 682lbs and solidified Cena’s reputation as perhaps the strongest wrestler alive.
15- John Cena vs. CM Punk – Raw 2013 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s victory over CM Punk on the 25th February 2013 edition of Raw was a defining moment in one of the company’s most memorable rivalries. In a hard-hitting and almost 30-minute outing, Cena overcame Punk and even retained his chance to face The Rock at WrestleMania 29 for the WWE title after winning the Royal Rumble in January 2025.
14- John Cena vs. Edge – Unforgiven 2006 (WWE Championship)
At Unforgiven 2006, Cena faced Edge in a brutal Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship in Toronto. This victory highlighted Cena’s toughness and his willingness to endure extreme punishment to retain the title. Moreover, this was pivotal considering Edge had never lost in a TLC bout before and had survived outings like his SummerSlam 2000 and WrestleMania 17 matches. The match was highly acclaimed for its creativity and risk-taking, with Cena ending the match with an Attitude Adjustment from the top of the ladder through 2 tables stacked over one another.
13- John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – WrestleMania 30
John Cena’s match against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 30 was a battle of contrasting personas: Cena’s heroic, resilient persona versus Wyatt’s dark, psychological presence. Cena overcame Wyatt’s mind games and physical offense, ultimately overcoming the Wyatt Family leader. This win was significant for reinforcing Cena as a resilient champion capable of overcoming mind games and physical dominance alike. Defeating Wyatt on such a monumental stage allowed Cena to showcase his versatility and his first non-main event outing in years.
12- John Cena vs. Batista – WrestleMania 26 (WWE Championship)
In a clash of titans at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, Cena took on Batista for the WWE Championship. This win emphasized Cena’s ability to go toe-to-toe with physically dominant opponents while still executing a technically sound and crowd-pleasing match. Moreover, this was the battle between two faces of the company, who both started their World title journey at the same time by winning gold at WrestleMania 21 five years prior. The bout solidified Cena’s standing as a champion capable of facing even the most devastating heel version of ‘The Animal’.
11- John Cena vs. JBL – WrestleMania 21 (WWE Championship)
John Cena’s victory over JBL at WrestleMania 21 marked a defining moment in his early WWE career. Cena ended the 280-day reign of the Texas native, signaling the rise of the “Face of the WWE” and solidifying him as the top star of the era. This victory was pivotal not only for Cena’s legacy but also for WWE as a whole, as it took the WWE further into the Ruthless Aggression Era and was the first of Cena’s record-setting 17 World title wins.
10- John Cena vs. Triple H– WrestleMania 22 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s win against Triple H at WrestleMania 22 was a career-defining moment, as he overcame the then-face of the company. Moreover, Cena’s reign by this time was not well-received with fans, and with HHH’s 10 world title reigns, it seemed impossible for Cena to win and defend his belt in Chicago. However, the match displayed Cena’s power as he made Triple H submit to the STF to end the bout and win his third WrestleMania match in 2006.
9- John Cena vs. AJ Styles – Crown Jewel 2025
At Crown Jewel 2025, Cena’s clash with AJ Styles was a showcase of why these two are the best of their generation. Marked as a pivotal bout in Cena’s ongoing retirement tour, Cena paid tribute to the likes of Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, and The Miz in this iconic 30-minute outing in Perth. Moreover, he even paid tribute to Styles, who will also be retiring in 2026.
8- John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 23 (WWE Championship)
Facing Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 23 was a landmark victory for Cena, who took on one of wrestling’s all-time greats. This win was as much about Cena’s in-ring skill as it was about his ability to carry a 20+ minute outing with ‘Mr WrestleMania’, with whom he was also the reigning World Tag Team title holder. Defeating Michaels in such a high-profile encounter enhanced Cena’s credibility and reinforced WWE’s trust in him as the centerpiece of the company in early 2007.
7- John Cena vs. Randy Orton – Bragging Rights 2009 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s victory over Randy Orton at TLC 2009 in a 60-minute Iron Man match ended their year-long rivalry over the WWE title. While Orton prevailed inside Hell in a Cell and a singles bout at SummerSlam, Cena showcased his toughness and won one of the most brutal encounters in the WWE’s PG era. This win further solidified Cena’s legacy as a champion who could thrive in any match type, as he had already prevailed in an ‘I Quit Match’ earlier that year.
6- John Cena – New Year’s Revolution 2006 (WWE Championship)
At New Year’s Revolution 2006, Cena retained his WWE Championship in one of the most grueling match types in WWE history. Surrounded by the Elimination Chamber against the likes of Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Carlito, Chris Masters, and Kane, Cena showcased his stamina, mental toughness, and adaptability. This victory was a testament to Cena’s physical and psychological resilience as he eliminated Carlito last to retain his gold. However, this bout was also marked by Edge cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and beating Cena after the Chamber match was over.
5- John Cena vs. AJ Styles – Royal Rumble 2017 (WWE Championship)
At Royal Rumble 2017, Cena defeated AJ Styles to capture the WWE Championship, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion and capturing his 16th World title. The match highlighted Cena’s mix of raw power and technical skill as he countered Styles’ high-flying and precise offense. This win was significant as Cena finally beat Styles after suffering defeats in 2016 at Money in the Bank and SummerSlam. Moreover, this clash was a true embodiment of Mr. WWE prevailing over Mr. TNA to tie Ric Flair’s record of most world title wins.
4- John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar – Extreme Rules 2012
Facing Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules 2012 showcased Cena’s sheer determination and toughness. After suffering perhaps the biggest loss of his career at WrestleMania 28 against The Rock, Cena survived a brutal Extreme Rules match to survive Lesnar and ruin his return to the company after nearly 8 years.
3- John Cena – Royal Rumble 2008 (30-Man Elimination Match)
John Cena’s victory in the 2008 Royal Rumble was a defining moment in his career, as it secured him a title shot at WrestleMania 24. Moreover, this victory was special as it marked his return just four months after suffering a serious shoulder injury on Raw the previous year and was meant to keep him out for nearly 9 months. Facing a field of WWE’s top superstars like Triple H and Batista at the end, Cena showcased his strategic thinking and eliminated HHH at last to win his first Royal Rumble match at Madison Square Garden.
2- John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes – WrestleMania 41 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 was a defining moment as he won his record-setting 17th World title and first as a heel. At Elimination Chamber 2025, Cena shook hands with The Rock and Travis Scott to turn to the bad side for the first time since 2003 and made history. Although the ending of the bout was lukewarm, Cena’s iconic win made it an all-time WrestleMania moment.
1- John Cena vs. The Rock – WrestleMania 29 (WWE Championship)
Cena’s win against The Rock at WrestleMania 29 helped define him as a true main-event star. The program between these two generational icons elevated Cena’s career and helped him get his revenge from 2012’s WrestleMania 28 as he won his 11th WWE title at MetLife Stadium that night. Moreover, it was also a true passing of the torch moment between the two.
