Ranking The 10 VERSIONS of JOHN CENA from WORST to BEST | Wrestling Flashback
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- Here I rank the 10 versions of John Cena from WORST to BEST throughout his long and storied WWE career.
Which is your favourite version of John Cena?!
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TIMESTAMPS (Spoilers):
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - 10. Ruthless Aggression (2002)
02:11 - 9. Storyline With Nexus (2010-2011)
04:09 - 8. Part-Time Cena (2017-2021)
06:05 - 7. Initial US Title Run (2004-2005)
07:30 - 6. PG Era Cena (2008-2010)
09:21 - 5. Feud With AJ Styles & Miz (2016-2017)
11:32 - 4. Doctor Of Thuganomics (2002-2004)
12:53 - 3. US Open Challenge (2013-2015)
15:18 - 2. Feuds With The Rock and CM Punk (2011-2013)
18:10 - 1. 1st WWE Championship Run (2005-2007) - บันเทิง
You know the best thing about Cena from 15-16 onward? He stopped pretending he was the underdog. He was the top guy, he was king shit, and he knew it. Completely changed the dynamic and felt more genuine.
Always thought one of the realest lines towards him was when punk said “you’re no longer the Boston red sox you’re what you hate you’re the New York Yankees” or something like that
@Midnight Movie Man "I'm still here because you can't do your job" he says it at 4:30 in this video
What makes it even better is that this was around the time when WWE were pushing Roman Reigns as their new Face of the company, it made sense that Cena changed the Dynamic.
His promo on Roman Reigns won me back over
AND HE STILL SUCKS!!!
His rapper persona with wordlife was the best.
100%..that and his long title reign are 1 and 2 respectively
I would say right after getting rid of that gimmick is his best work
No
@@kingflores8915 literally like late 05-mid 06
The "Doctor of Thuganomics "
The Dr of Thuganomics gimmick was his best persona not the LHR gimmick that was part of the PG era of WWE
It was trash. He was basically a wigga with that gimmick
You mean hustle, loyalty, and respect
word life might be the best but without the pg cena's patriotism, fan interaction and countless make a wish campaigns wwe wouldnt be where it is right now. he single handedly made wwe popular and mainstream again after a huge amount of people left watching wwe after the chris benoit tragedy and parents barred their kid from watching thinking that it might get them mentally
I agree, plus his name recognition helped WWE become more popular in places all around the world too and become a global brand. For example WWE became really popular in India during the 2010's and while it wasn't just because of Cena, he was the top star at the time and so part of it can be attributed to him
never even thought of it like that thanks
@@theoldhermit2601 yeah many people from India knows about John cena, rock,undertaker
It was other things too. Like wasn’t gold dust whole character a big controversy for parents as well(I know not obviously as big as the Benoit tragedy) there were countless other controversies that without cena the wwe might never have came back from.
I forgot how good Cena was from 2005 to 2007. Especially his title run from September 06 to October 07. Really great feuds and matches. The stuff later in his career made people forget how good he was in this time period. He wasn’t the best in ring but he had great matches and great stories. And the heel work he did in 2002 to 2003 is never to be forgotten
That was Peak Cena
People only hated him because he beat a lot of hipsters choice wrestlers
People hated Cena because he made the WWE even more predictable than it already was - even to these, who haven't noticed it before. Another Cena feud? You already knew Cena was coming out on top, no matter against who. He's definitely gonna be inducted into the Hall of Fame as the biggest face WWE has ever produced and my god, he deserves it.
@@07sharkteam he too young . 03- 08 cena what made him a pop culture icon
John Cena on 2002-2007 was his real prime he was at his very best the whole ruthless aggression era was John Cena's Real Prime until PG era came on 2008 and ruined him and turned him into Fruity Pebble.
Doctor of Thuganamics and Chain Gang Soldier John Cena was his real prime and always will be his very best💯💯🔥🔥
They kind of explained how Cena got away with attacking Nexus every week after he got fired. He said that since Nexus beat up WWE security on the night of their debut, they had no problem with Cena coming in and appearing on TV. At least, that's how I remember it.
His feuds with Chris Jericho and Edge will always be the most memorable Cena era for me, I was in elementary and middle school at the time of those feuds and loved WWE so much that I would record Raw every Monday on my VCR (this was before dvr was more affordable)
1. 2005-2007. Chaingang soldier Cena is the one I grew up with when I was a kid, and this will always be nostalgic for me
2. 2003-2005. Dr of Thuganomics is iconic and what launched his career. I won’t forget the rap battles he used to have all the time on Smackdown
3. 2015-2017. I think this era is underrated. His US title open challenge was memorable as well as his feuds with AJ Styles and the Miz. Especially when he was on Smackdown Live right after the 2016 brand split occurred
Chain gang is my personal fav too. Dr Of Thuganomics is also my number 2.
I always said Rock brought out the best of Cena since 2005 in that first run, as soon as Rock returned you realised what we have been deprived of and it seemed to raise everyone else’s game too Punk, Bryan, Shield came those where some good times
His matches with AJ Styles were.... Amazing? No.. Epic? No... PHENOMENAL!
AJ Styles. That's why it is PHENOMENAL
The Dr. of Thuganomics is by far his greatest persona and one of the best in the history of wrestling!!!
IMO the gimmicks many WWE fans seem to like of John Cena is the Doctor of Thugonomics and the Chaingang Soldier gimmick.
Dr. Of Thuganomics and Chain Gang Soldier are my favorite versions of John Cena.
Seriously don’t understand how people forget the name of his 05-07 gimmick was Chaingang soldier! Thank you for letting this be known
@@castdreamzentertainment4991 no problem, I think its cause everyone is used to seeing the Super Cena since he's used that gimmick the longest.
John Cena Was literally A Beast🔥/Untouchable in Ruthless Aggression Era. John Cena Was Absolutely Crazy! He was literally at His Prime and Peak and at was his Very Best!
The hungry, post Thuganomics, newly minted spinner belt Cena was the best to me. He had something to prove, and a long list of potentially great matchups.
I'll never forget the one rumble when he was doing the thuganomics gimmick he comes out as an entry and literally walked around the ring dissing everyone inside and didn't go in until the next entry was coming out, thought that was hilarious
As a John Cena fan since childhood in the ruthless aggression era I was a huge fan of him especially his Doctor of Thuganomics, Him vs The Nexus, Rival with Edge, ECW one night stand with RVD, Him vs AJ Styles and a whole lot from his wrestle mania and other WWE moments we all pretty much appreciate of his career
It’s a no brainer that late 2002-early 2005 Thuganomics Word Life Cena was the BEST. I can actually see that version of him in the same ring as Rock & Austin & hold his very own on the Mic.
HLR Cena bought the resurgence in the company,by presenting a more family friendly face after the benoit saga,this was a good move as it saved the company,as a fan I loved the Cena-Punk fued and that Cena was best for him, where he knew he was like the big dog,not pretending to be the underdog and it gave rise to a rebellious Punk.
2015-2020 was legendary the US champion run and the part timing I’m the man run was awesome especially his matches with AJ styles
I don't think wrestlers could even rap anymore without being accused of copying the Dr. of Thuganomics gimmick. Also, '07 WWE Champion John Cena, IIRC, was undefeated at PPVs.
1/ WWE Championship Run 2005-2007 : His prime, his best version by far, one of the greatest legacy in wrestling history
2/ United States Championship run 2004-2005 : Fucking Amazing
3/ Chain Gang & Dr of Thuganomics 2003-2004 : The beginnin of his legend
4/ 2008 - 2010
5/ 2011 - 2013
I remember the HLR period well. Every week hoping he would throw on his rapping jersey, come out to his old theme song and turn heel. I was a massive Cena fan at the time but nothing tops his Dr of Thuganomics days.
Never noticed Cena put Styles over 3x before beating him
You mean to times
2005-2007 Cena took Raw by storm. Once he won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 he became the franchise player
Kinda ruined raw & his character that’s the exact moment he went downhill
2003-2005 John Cena will always be the best. 2006 Cena wasn’t as bad but that’s when we noticed he was changing into a whole different Cena.
05’-07’ is the best.
Exactly!!!!!
Michael Cole: OMG OH MY GOD CENA’S HERE!!
Pat McAfee: WHERE?!
Still gives me chills every time I hear it!
"He looks like a pretty tough baby to me" - Taz, 2002.
Best cena 2005 - 2007
Second best 2003 - 2005
Third best 2012 - 2015
Yup!!!
It doesn’t get any better than the 2005-6-7- John Cena however I loved him his whole career
2002-2007 the only Cena's that matter.
2006 was terrible lmao
@@breland7809 Wtf are you smoking
@@breland7809 you tripping
John Cena on 2002-2007 was his real prime he was at his very best the whole ruthless aggression era was John Cena's Real Prime until PG era came on 2008 and ruined him and turned him into Fruity Pebble.
Doctor of Thuganamics and Chain Gang Soldier John Cena was his real prime and always will be his very best💯💯🔥🔥
I loved every Cena. The Prototype one was still okay at the most. The Word Life Cena was damn entertaining, but the HLR Cena had to overcome the odds both in the ring and out, whether against Umaga and Khali or carrying the company in the aftermath of Benoit.
The fans were Cena's biggest challenge, as they couldn't stand him over the years and had no respect for what he did for the business
Great video, man! I love these "Best Versions" videos, especially when it's a wrestler I can remember seeing all of those phases of. But just thinking about Cena returning at Money In the Bank in 2021 and the pop he got that was LEGENDARY, makes me realize that Cena is the epitome of "You're gonna miss me when I'm gone!"
Because I can remember countless times where me and my friends were just tired of seeing John Cena win every time, every week, every pay-per-view! But now with him being gone and we only rarely get to see him, makes us more aware of just how much we actually miss him and that he is a legendary first ballot Hall of Famer in this game! YOUCANTSEEME!
PS, who still plays the album? Haha.
The Doctor of Thuganomics was the best gimmick really put John Cena on the map
This is one of my favorite wrestlers love his feud between punk in 2011-2013 I’m going to miss him after 2025 when he retires
2006-2007 was his absolute peak.
Honestly Dr of Thuganomics should've been number 1 since that was the gimmick that put Cena on the map
There’s only three version of him I would identify him as. Rookie ruthless aggression Cena., The Dr.of Thuganomics, and the never give up Super Cena who he’s been most of his career. The latter unfortunately was the one I hated the most. I also haven’t watched the WWE full time since 2012 so although he may have made some noticeable changes after the never get up era, whenever I did watch since then the changes aren’t too noticeable for me. The Dr. of Thuganomics character was definitely my favorite version of him. In fact, it was in that era when Smackdown in particular was a very damn good show.
Chang Gang deserve its own category
The fans wanted cena to turn but never did that's why they hated him
Super Cena started getting old after Orton feud.
His theme songs were hands down the best! Goosebumps!!!
Love this channel! My favorite version of Cena was the Doctor Of Thuganomics. He was funnier and his real charisma shined. He got watered down as he became more successful. His acting career hasn't been impressive but he was hilarious on "Trainwreck" he's a comedian not an action hero.
His hustle, loyalty, and respect phase was my favorite..probably from 06-07
@2:17 black and white cena looking like twins 😂😂
Dr Thugnomics is his best one…He faced Eddie, Young Brock, Undertaker and Kurt Angle 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #WordLife
i remember seeing john cena pick up the big show. as a kid, i was in awe.
That U.S Open Challenge was 👌. I remember the time when it started i was waiting everyweek to see who's cena gonna face next and Oh My God all of them are great
Wrestlemania 29 needed to be Rock v. Cena v. Punk in the main event to cap off that 3-year storyline
As I recall the characters John Cena played in the WWE were only 3: his debut, dr of thugonomics (2003-2005) and the hero of the troops
Picking a blank black screen for a thumbnail is a bold choice for such a high profile athlete.
For me it’s late 02-03, then I fell out and came back right at the beginning of 2011 so for me that 11-13 run was EPIC.
The Dr. Of Thuganomics John Cena Is The Best Version Of Him !!!
2002 - 2004
Wasn't he called The Prototype first when he started
That was in OVW
@@taharehman7489 ok. I just wasn't sure when it was
my fav version of Cena gotta be Dr. Of Thuganomics (2002-04). He was gold during that stretch. 2nd fav is the feuds he had with Rock (2011-13)
John cena from 2004 to 2007 was actually a lot better 2010s was okay
Any Cena after 2007 sucks.
@@giovannigiovanni.7220 2008 and 2009 he was good
@@noeljoynerlucasfanguillen3504 I respect your opinion.
@@noeljoynerlucasfanguillen3504 people call that era super cena but he actually lost. 2008-9 was a transition era for him
@@giovannigiovanni.7220 PG era pretty much ruined Wrestling and John Cena Because John Cena went from Chain gang soldier that has the swag and attitude and more good looking and entertaining into Fruity Pebble/super Cena 2008 Was the downfall of Cena PG era Ruined it.
2016 cena for me cause his promos was crazy and his catchphrase I'm John cena Recognize.
Spinner belt, the CD, draft to Raw, battle of the bands. Tag champs with HBK, ECW one night stand!! Great time
His rapper persona for sure.
Cena’s first championship run will always be my favorite version of him
Your Instagram and Channel is So!🔥🔥🔥🔥
John Cena on 2002-2007 was his real prime he was at his very best the whole ruthless aggression era was John Cena's Real Prime until PG era came on 2008 and ruined him and turned him into Fruity Pebble.
Doctor of Thuganamics and Chain Gang Soldier John Cena was his real prime and always will be his very best💯💯🔥🔥
He's always talking about how we love to see this version of cena, but I didn't see him the whole video
Honestly never viewed that attack on Kidman as a heel turn.. I was very young but still.
Word life is the best cena
That slap to Angle reminds me of Will Smith and Chris Rock at The Oscar lmao 😂.
The Peacemaker persona is the best
Yeah I agree, his rematch with that fake Rey Mysterio in that era is one of my favorites.
loved it🔥🔥
Cena just missed the Attitude Era with his prime Thuganomics gimmick. Imagine him spitting insults at Stone Cold?
2006 john cena was unstoppable ❤️👌
Will always be my all time favourite wrestler. Don’t care what the marks tell me, he’s the greatest of all time
Fax. Cena the goat
Rise above period with Zach Ryder and Kane and Eve was crazy
1. Cena 05-07
2. Cena 14-16
3. Cena 03-05
Best version is 2011 till now. Match performance was on par to his mic skill
For me it was from 07-2015. I know thats a big period, but I enjoyed super Cena.
Fruity Pebble/Super Cena is my favourite because I was born in that era
The Dr of Thuganomics
it *was* actually explained why the firing by Wade Barrett didn't feel like Cena was fired
Chaingang soldier is the name of the number 1 pick gimmick.
2013-2017 John was untouchable. That’s when he showed he could WRESTLE WRESTLE.
Bruh even as The Dr and Marine he could prove he can do great in the ring
@@Kalel2.0 nah lol
@@breland7809 John was ruthless from 2003-2005 he could do good in the ring just not great
@@Kalel2.0 I’m talking about from a pure technical aspect. Matches like john/punk at MITB and on raw. Matches against sami zayn during the US title run. His matches against AJ at the rumble and SS. His matches against seth and brock. Stop with the comparison. Nowhere near close.
@@Kalel2.0 He could but I think he did have some flaws in the ring like he didn't know how to sell to his opponents.
NAH, Dr. Of Thugonomics will always be “his” aka John’s best version based on Peak & not for what newer fans have memory about him or his memorable feuds.
These are 2 different things that I think is being mixed & matched here while making the list cuz 1 represent peak Cena & other represent his contribution to story lines/timeline of WWE
I mean when you use to have Attitude Era like Pops on weekly Smackdown while not being a confirmed main-eventer yet & have the best 5-10 minutes on mic with matches being hell of intense as well there’s nothing more you can do from there
The best cena is when he was still wearing jerseys and was feuding with edge there rivalry was attitude era worthy 💯
My childhood hero and favorite of all time 🐐🔥
Cena 2005-2007 !!! A title run 2007 is awesome !!!
John Cena Would Forever Be My Goat No One Will Ever Do What He Did 16X World Champion Looking Forward To Breaking The Record I Love You John 🐐
John Cena Was literally A Beast🔥/Untouchable in Ruthless Aggression Era. John Cena Was Absolutely Crazy! He was literally at His Prime and Peak and at was his Very Best!
Yo wtf the undertaker has to be on that mount rush more
How is Mt Rushmore missing Hogan? And why Rock AND Austin? Neither carried by themselves the company the way Hogan and Cena did, and their peaks were too short.
great picks. here's my humble opinion. Austin was hotter in that 6 year run and made wrestling way more mainstream, sold more merch than anyone in history. he was helping WWF compete with NWO. I've been watching some of his older work (WCW/ECW) and he's really good. does moves you don't see a lot. I'd argue Hogan should be on Mt. Rushmore. I'd say Austin, Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and Macho Man Randy Savage. only thing you can really knock Mach is that he didn't get a sustained push and he wanted to script his matches a bit too much to be called a great "worker," but still a great wrestler, and promos that are unmatched, and didn't rely on catchphrases such as some (e.g., The Rock)
Barrett and Daniels were the only nexus guys that would’ve ever been anything and they proved that. Wade Barrett was over with the whole Bad News thing and as IC champion, he just stopped wrestling for some reason. Say what you will about Vince but he knew when a guy was a legit future star versus someone that people just like for a short period of time. If you can’t recover from losing a match against a guy booked to be indestructible after still looking strong in the match, then you were probably pushed too hard to begin with.
WWE: How many green costumes do you want?
Cena: Yes!
Doctor of thuganomics was the best
He really needs to come back and win the intercontinental title
Heel rapper was absolutely fantastic
My favourite versions of Cena are from 2005-2007 and his 2013-2016 version
Honored to say I was at MITB 2021
All I’m going to say is; he made his match with Khali a GOOD match. Anyone that can do that; one of goats 🐐
Thuganomics version, when he was a heel.
I’m glad everyone seems to have circled back around to respecting him as a possible GOAT. The Cena sucks chants and everything were fun but I’m happy everyone is a lot more positive on him now.
Rookie - thugnomics 2002 2005
His worst or 10th should have been his US title open challenge version. It was a golden opportunity to put someone over for the title, someone pegged for the main event in the future. Instead he mostly faced mid-carders and beat them. He did put over Kevin Owens (non-title) but then came back and beat him two straight. He then lost the title to Seth Rollins who was the World champ but then came back and beat him too. He then lost to a returning Alberto Del Rio who didn't need the rub or the belt either.
John Cena’s best version was 2015 with the US title.
2006-2010 John Cena was unstoppable
2005 - 2007 Cena is the best one yes
Worldlife Cena the best
1:36 Oww the punch Get hurt tho.
My fav version of Cena was during 2010-2011.