As John Cena prepares for his final match on December 13, fans across the world are looking back at his long career and the moments that shaped him into one of WWE’s greatest superstars. From his early days as the loud “Doctor of Thuganomics” to becoming the face of the company, Cena built his legacy through stories, battles and rivalries that helped define modern WWE.
Across 20 years, Cena did more than win championships. He helped tell stories that lifted the careers of others and gave fans moments they still talk about today. Here are ten major rivalries that played a huge role in shaping John Cena’s journey and establishing him as one of the best performers in WWE history.
John Cena’s 10 Greatest Rivalries That Defined His WWE Legacy
Bray Wyatt
In 2014, Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family targeted Cena with the goal of breaking his heroic image. The story forced fans to question whether Cena might finally lose control and show a darker side. Wyatt’s approach was psychological, calling Cena a fraud and trying to expose his weaknesses.
Their rivalry returned in 2020 with a completely new style of storytelling. It ended with the Firefly Funhouse Match, one of the most unusual and creative matches WWE has ever produced. The feud showed how different Cena could be when placed in a story-heavy environment.
AJ Styles
When AJ Styles joined WWE, fans worried he would not be treated like a star. His rivalry with Cena proved the opposite. Their matches at Money in the Bank 2016, SummerSlam 2016 and Royal Rumble 2017 were instant classics.
Styles brought out the athletic side of Cena, while Cena helped AJ become a top-tier WWE superstar. Their clash again at Crown Jewel 2025 reminded fans why their chemistry became such a powerful part of their legacy.
Edge
Edge’s first Money in the Bank cash-in on Cena in 2006 created a rivalry that defined both men. Their battles were emotional and intense, including the unforgettable TLC match at Unforgiven 2006 in Edge’s hometown.
Edge pushed Cena to become tougher, and Cena pushed Edge to become one of the best villains of the era. Their story shaped the tone of WWE in the late 2000s.
Batista
Batista and Cena rose through the ranks almost side by side. They trained together, became champions around the same time and were seen as the top stars of their generation. But the company clearly placed Cena in the spotlight more often.
That tension became the core of their rivalry. Batista felt WWE chose Cena over him, creating emotional and personal battles that shaped both their careers.
Kurt Angle
Cena’s first night in WWE was against Kurt Angle, where he delivered the famous “Ruthless Aggression” line. Angle became one of the first big names to test Cena and push him toward future success.
Their feud picked up again in 2005 when Cena moved to Raw as WWE Champion. Angle gave Cena some of the toughest matches of his early career and helped solidify him as a top star.
Shawn Michaels
When Triple H got injured in 2007, it opened the door for an unexpected rivalry between Cena and Shawn Michaels. They were tag champions together, but their partnership quickly turned into tension.
Their WrestleMania 23 match ended with Cena making HBK tap out. Weeks later, they delivered a legendary hour-long match on Raw. Short but impactful, their rivalry helped Cena rise even further as the main figure of WWE.
Randy Orton
No rivalry in Cena’s career lasted as long or produced as many matches as his feud with Randy Orton. They battled on pay-per-views, TV shows and countless live events. Even when fans felt tired of seeing them together, their chemistry always brought the crowd back.
Their renewed rivalry in 2025 proved they could still deliver strong promos and matches. They were natural opposites at the perfect time in their careers.
Brock Lesnar
Cena’s rivalry with Brock Lesnar was filled with hard-hitting, brutal matches. Lesnar’s return match was against Cena, immediately putting him back into the spotlight.
Their most shocking moment came at Wrestlepalooza, where Lesnar destroyed Cena from start to finish. It showed how unpredictable and intense their feud always was.
The Rock
The Rock vs. Cena matches at WrestleMania 28 and 29 broke records and drew massive worldwide interest. They continued their rivalry years later in 2025, showing that their chemistry never faded. Both men helped define each other’s legacies.
CM Punk
Cena’s most important rivalry will always be with CM Punk. They were complete opposites, but inside the ring, they created magic. Their feud began in 2009, giving fans an early glimpse of their chemistry.
Things escalated after Punk’s famous pipebomb promo in 2011 and his promise to leave WWE with the championship. Their match at Money in the Bank in Chicago is still seen as one of the greatest WWE matches of all time.
They continued to clash through 2012 and 2013, delivering one classic after another. Twelve years later, they had their final match at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, with Cena defeating Punk in the main event.
Also Read: Where To Watch Flamengo Vs Palmeiras In India: Copa Libertadores Final Streaming Guide
