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John Cena and Brock Lesnar are scheduled to compete for what is billed as the final time at WWE Wrestlepalooza this weekend, headlining the debut event of WWE’s new pay-per-view partnership with ESPN. The impending clash marks a significant moment, bringing together two of professional wrestling’s most prominent figures whose careers have intersected across three decades, evolving from promising developmental talents to undisputed world champions and eventual Hall of Fame inductees.
Their rivalry, while not characterized by an extensive number of encounters, possesses a rich narrative depth. Despite being foundational figures of the Ruthless Aggression era, Cena and Lesnar have contested only six singles matches over their careers. Lesnar currently holds a 4-2 advantage in the series. While Cena cannot reverse the overall series lead at Wrestlepalooza, securing a victory in this concluding chapter would represent a significant moral triumph as he approaches his official retirement from active competition later this year. This final encounter also serves as a poignant bookmark in Cena’s career, with only a limited number of appearances remaining on his schedule.
As the professional wrestling world anticipates this high-profile main event, a comprehensive review of their previous six singles matches provides critical context for their enduring legacy and the dynamics of their final showdown. The following analysis ranks their past encounters, examining their chronological and narrative significance.
6. SmackDown (September 19, 2002)
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The initial meeting between John Cena and Brock Lesnar occurred on the September 19, 2002, episode of SmackDown, a period when both men were relatively nascent in their main roster careers. Their shared history traced back to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE’s developmental territory, where they were part of a legendary class that included future stars such as Randy Orton and Batista. Despite training together, they had not previously wrestled. At this point in their careers, their trajectories were markedly different. Lesnar had already ascended to the pinnacle of the industry, reigning as the undisputed WWE Champion, a title he had secured just months into his main roster debut. Cena, conversely, was still in the early stages of establishing his identity, struggling to differentiate himself on the roster. This match preceded Cena’s pivotal "Doctor of Thuganomics" gimmick, which would subsequently propel him to stardom.
The contest itself was largely characterized as a squash match, reflecting the significant disparity in their respective standings. Lesnar, showcasing the dominant physicality that would define his career, controlled the majority of the encounter. The match concluded swiftly with Lesnar delivering his signature F5 maneuver, securing a decisive pinfall victory over his former developmental classmate. The lack of established chemistry and the brevity of the match meant it served primarily as an exhibition of Lesnar’s championship dominance rather than a competitive rivalry bout.
5. Backlash (2003)
Seven months following their initial encounter, John Cena underwent a profound transformation, significantly reinventing his character. By Backlash 2003, Cena had fully embraced his "Doctor of Thuganomics" persona, characterized by his rapping promos and distinct jean shorts attire. This evolution had rapidly propelled him up the WWE card. Backlash represented a testament to this dramatic shift, as Cena found himself challenging Lesnar for the WWE Championship in a pay-per-view main event. This was a remarkable ascent, particularly given that WWE management had reportedly considered releasing Cena from his contract prior to Stephanie McMahon’s suggestion of a hip-hop inspired makeover. Less than a year later, Cena was headlining a major pay-per-view.
Despite the compelling "Rocky" narrative surrounding Cena’s rise, the championship match itself did not translate into a memorable in-ring spectacle. The match suffered from an extended runtime, with Cena’s in-ring abilities not yet fully complementing his burgeoning popularity. The contest largely unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Lesnar maintaining control for significant portions. The match concluded with Lesnar delivering another F5, securing his second victory over Cena and retaining the WWE Championship. While a significant career milestone for Cena, the match’s execution led to it being perceived as an overextended, largely uncompetitive championship defense.
4. SmackDown (February 13, 2003)
Preceding their Backlash encounter, Cena and Lesnar had their second singles match on the February 13, 2003, episode of SmackDown. This match, chronologically positioned between their initial squash and the Backlash main event, is widely considered their most compelling bout of the 2000s. At this point, Lesnar was engaged in a high-profile feud with Kurt Angle, while Cena was riding a wave of newfound popularity stemming from his developing "Doctor of Thuganomics" character. The increased momentum surrounding Cena provided a more substantial narrative foundation for their second encounter compared to their first.
This match offered a clearer blueprint for the competitive dynamics that would characterize their future rivalry. Lesnar, utilizing his superior amateur wrestling background and raw physicality, consistently sought to ground Cena and dominate the pace. Cena, however, displayed the resilience and "never give up" spirit that would become hallmarks of his career, staging determined comebacks against the formidable "Beast Incarnate." A notable moment saw Cena nearly secure a victory after striking Lesnar with his signature steel chain. However, Lesnar ultimately shrugged off the attack, countering with an F5 to secure the pinfall. The match’s shorter duration, compared to their subsequent Backlash clash, allowed for a more focused and impactful contest, showcasing a better balance of their respective strengths and offering a more enjoyable experience for viewers.
3. Night of Champions (2014)
The later matches between John Cena and Brock Lesnar generally surpassed their early efforts in terms of quality and narrative impact, largely due to both competitors reaching their primes and benefiting from more refined character work and in-ring experience. Night of Champions 2014 represented the most recent singles encounter between the two prior to Wrestlepalooza. This match, while solid in execution, was considered the least compelling of their three 2010s encounters, particularly when contrasted with the groundbreaking nature of SummerSlam 2014 and the intense stipulation of Extreme Rules 2012.
The context for this match was a rematch from SummerSlam, where Lesnar had decisively defeated Cena to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. At Night of Champions, Cena sought redemption and a recapture of the title. He came close to achieving this, notably locking Lesnar in his STF submission hold. However, the match’s conclusion was marred by outside interference. Seth Rollins, then holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, attacked Cena, drawing a disqualification. Consequently, Cena was awarded the victory, but due to WWE rules stipulating that championships cannot change hands via disqualification or count-out, Lesnar retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The textbook booking and inconclusive finish, while protecting both competitors, ultimately placed this match a step below its immediate predecessors in terms of definitive impact and memorable resolution.
2. SummerSlam (2014)
SummerSlam 2014 stands as a pivotal match in the modern era of Brock Lesnar’s WWE career, widely regarded as the genesis of his "Suplex City" persona and dominant booking style. In a shocking and unprecedented display of dominance, Lesnar thoroughly dismantled John Cena, who was at the height of his powers as the face of the company. The match was an unrelenting exhibition of Lesnar’s raw power and aggression. Lesnar delivered more than a dozen German suplexes and two F5s, inflicting a brutal and one-sided defeat upon Cena to claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
The sheer brutality and comprehensive nature of Lesnar’s victory were unprecedented, particularly against a competitor of Cena’s stature. Cena’s typically resilient comebacks were effortlessly stifled, as Lesnar consistently ragdolled him across the ring. Paul Heyman, Lesnar’s advocate, famously coined the phrase "Suplex City, bitch" in response to this performance, a catchphrase that would become synonymous with Lesnar’s subsequent run. At the time, witnessing Cena, the seemingly invincible "Super Cena," so thoroughly and easily dismantled was a shocking novelty that redefined expectations for Lesnar’s character. While Lesnar’s formulaic dominance has occasionally drawn criticism in later years, its initial application at SummerSlam 2014 was a groundbreaking and impactful moment that reshaped the main event landscape of WWE.
1. Extreme Rules (2012)
The highly anticipated first encounter between John Cena and Brock Lesnar in nine years, following Lesnar’s dramatic return to WWE after WrestleMania 28, is widely considered the pinnacle of their rivalry. This match, contested under Extreme Rules stipulations, allowed both competitors to engage in a level of physicality and violence rarely seen in WWE at the time, as the company had generally moved away from blood and extreme violence. Lesnar, making his return to the squared circle after a successful tenure as a UFC Heavyweight Champion, immediately established a new, more aggressive persona, brutalizing Cena for the majority of the contest. This performance effectively laid the groundwork for the dominant booking Lesnar would receive in his subsequent WWE run.
Cena, embodying his "Super Cena" persona, displayed an extraordinary level of resilience, overcoming a relentless onslaught that included a broken nose and significant blood loss. He absorbed everything Lesnar delivered, ultimately finding a way to secure the victory by delivering an Attitude Adjustment onto a set of exposed steel steps. The match benefited immensely from its unique "box office" atmosphere. It marked Lesnar’s first WWE match since 2004, following a highly publicized return. Cena, meanwhile, was coming off a blockbuster, generational match against The Rock at WrestleMania 28. The confluence of these factors – compelling storytelling, intense in-ring action, the rare stipulation, and the immense star power of both competitors – aligned perfectly to produce their most acclaimed and impactful match, a full decade after their initial encounter. It remains a defining moment for both men and a high point in WWE’s modern era.
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