John Cena and Brock Lesnar: The Final Chapter in a Storied Rivalry at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

This weekend, two titans of professional wrestling, John Cena and Brock Lesnar, are set to clash for what is billed as the final time at WWE Wrestlepalooza. The highly anticipated event marks a significant milestone for WWE, as it inaugurates a new partnership with ESPN for pay-per-view broadcasts. The confrontation between Cena and Lesnar is poised to be a pivotal moment, headlining the debut event and closing a rivalry that has spanned over two decades, transitioning both men from promising prospects to global icons and future Hall of Famers.

The feud between Cena and Lesnar, though characterized by a relatively short number of singles matches, is rich in history and narrative depth. Their paths first converged in 2002, both arriving on the main roster from Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE’s developmental territory at the time. This "legendary class" also included future stars like Randy Orton and Batista, laying the groundwork for what would become the "Ruthless Aggression" era. Now, two decades later, their final encounter takes on added weight as Cena is slated to officially retire from full-time professional wrestling at the end of the year, with only a limited number of appearances remaining on his schedule.

Despite their parallel ascensions as two of the most significant success stories of their generation, Cena and Lesnar have remarkably only competed in six singles matches prior to Wrestlepalooza. Lesnar currently holds a 4-2 lead in their series. While Cena cannot mathematically bridge the gap in their head-to-head record with a single victory, a win in their concluding bout would represent a significant moral triumph in a rivalry defined by dominance and resilience. Ahead of this momentous final encounter, a detailed examination of their previous matches provides essential context for their enduring legacy.

6. SmackDown (Sept. 19, 2002)

Related News :

The inaugural singles match between John Cena and Brock Lesnar on SmackDown on September 19, 2002, serves as a stark contrast to their upcoming Wrestlepalooza clash. In 2002, both competitors were mere months into their main roster careers. While they had trained together extensively at OVW, they had never faced each other in the ring during their developmental days. Lesnar, however, had already been positioned as a top-tier talent, having rapidly ascended to become the undisputed WWE Champion within months of his debut. Cena, conversely, was still in the early stages of establishing his identity on the main roster, struggling to differentiate himself from the burgeoning roster. This match occurred approximately six weeks before Cena would debut his "Doctor of Thuganomics" gimmick, a persona that would ultimately catapult him to widespread stardom and multiple championships.

The chemistry between the two was minimal at this nascent stage of their careers, and the contest was predominantly a squash match designed to further establish Lesnar’s destructive dominance. Lesnar systematically overpowered his former OVW classmate, executing a relentless offense that left Cena with little opportunity for recovery. The match concluded swiftly with Lesnar delivering his signature F5 maneuver, securing a decisive pinfall victory. This early encounter, while historically significant, was primarily a showcase for Lesnar’s burgeoning reign rather than a competitive contest between equals.

5. Backlash (2003)

Seven months after their initial SmackDown encounter, John Cena had undergone a dramatic transformation, showcasing one of the most remarkable character evolutions in WWE history. Following a period where his main roster position was reportedly in jeopardy, a creative suggestion from Stephanie McMahon to embrace a hip-hop persona proved to be a career-defining moment. By Backlash 2003, Cena, now rapping, sporting jean shorts, and carrying a chain, had experienced a meteoric rise up the WWE card. This pay-per-view main event saw him challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, a testament to his newfound popularity and momentum.

Despite the compelling "Rocky" narrative surrounding Cena’s unexpected ascent, the WWE Championship match itself did not translate into a memorable in-ring spectacle. The match, which ran for an extended duration, exposed the gap between Cena’s rapidly growing popularity and his still-developing in-ring skills. The contest largely remained a one-sided affair, with Lesnar maintaining control for significant portions. The pacing was often criticized, leading to a perception that the match overstayed its welcome without delivering commensurate action or drama. Ultimately, Lesnar concluded the championship defense with another F5, extending his winning streak against Cena and retaining the WWE Championship. While a significant moment in Cena’s early career, the match itself is often cited as less engaging than other high-profile encounters of the era.

4. SmackDown (Feb. 13, 2003)

Nestled between their less-than-stellar first encounter and the drawn-out Backlash match, John Cena and Brock Lesnar delivered their most compelling match of the 2000s on the February 13, 2003, episode of SmackDown. This encounter benefited from a more defined narrative context and a shorter, more impactful runtime. Lesnar, at this point, was engaged in a popular and critically acclaimed feud with Kurt Angle, but took a brief detour to confront Cena. Cena, meanwhile, was experiencing a surge in popularity, having fully embraced his "Doctor of Thuganomics" persona and connecting with audiences.

Their second televised singles encounter carried considerably more momentum than their debut match. It established a foundational blueprint for how their future rivalry would unfold: Lesnar’s superior technique and overwhelming physicality against Cena’s tenacious heart and unwavering resilience. Lesnar systematically grounded Cena, utilizing powerful maneuvers and submission holds to maintain control. However, Cena demonstrated glimpses of his future "Super Cena" persona, exhibiting remarkable fortitude by consistently recouping and rallying against the seemingly indestructible "Beast Incarnate." A pivotal moment saw Cena nearly secure a victory after connecting with Lesnar using his signature chain, but Lesnar quickly recovered, shrugging off the illicit blow. The match culminated with Lesnar delivering an F5, securing the pinfall victory. The abbreviated runtime of this match, compared to the Backlash main event, allowed both competitors to deliver a more enjoyable and impactful contest, showcasing their developing characters more effectively.

3. Night of Champions (2014)

A recurring observation in the Cena-Lesnar rivalry is that their later matches, following Lesnar’s return to WWE in 2012, generally surpassed their early efforts. This can be attributed to both men having matured significantly in their careers, with Cena having established himself as the face of the company for a decade and Lesnar returning as a legitimate former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Among their three encounters in the 2010s, the Night of Champions 2014 match is often considered the least compelling, primarily due to its inconclusive finish. This match followed their brutal SummerSlam 2014 clash and aimed to provide Cena with a measure of redemption.

The contest was solid and intense, yet it possessed a familiar quality, lacking the shocking novelty of their SummerSlam encounter or the extreme violence of their Extreme Rules match. Cena mounted a determined effort to reclaim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, coming close to victory after applying his signature STF submission hold to Lesnar. However, the match was marred by external interference. Seth Rollins, then holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, intervened, attacking Cena with the briefcase and drawing a disqualification. While Cena was technically awarded the win, titles cannot change ownership via disqualification or count-out under WWE rules. This textbook booking, designed to protect Lesnar’s championship reign while giving Cena a symbolic victory, ultimately resulted in an inconclusive finish that positioned the match a step below its immediate predecessors in their 2010s trilogy.

2. SummerSlam (2014)

The SummerSlam 2014 encounter between John Cena and Brock Lesnar is widely regarded as the genesis of Lesnar’s modern, dominant in-ring style, a persona that would define his second tenure with WWE. This match was a visceral and shocking display of Lesnar’s power, effectively dismantling Cena in a manner rarely seen for the company’s top star. Lesnar launched an relentless assault on Cena, delivering more than a dozen German suplexes and two F5s to decisively claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

The sheer brutality and one-sided nature of the contest left audiences stunned. Cena, at the height of his powers and considered virtually indestructible, was systematically ragdolled by Lesnar. His momentary attempts at comebacks were swiftly and brutally snuffed out, underscoring Lesnar’s overwhelming superiority. It was in response to this particular match that Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, famously coined the phrase "Suplex City, Bitch," which quickly became synonymous with Lesnar’s character and in-ring philosophy. While Lesnar’s formulaic offense involving multiple suplexes has drawn mixed reactions in subsequent years, at the time, this dominant performance against Cena was a shocking novelty, fundamentally altering the perception of Lesnar as an unstoppable force and cementing his status as a legitimate "Beast Incarnate." The match significantly impacted both Cena’s legacy of resilience and Lesnar’s reputation for unparalleled brutality.

1. Extreme Rules (2012)

The highly anticipated first encounter between John Cena and Brock Lesnar in nine years, held at Extreme Rules 2012, is almost universally considered the pinnacle of their rivalry. This match benefited from an extraordinary "box office" atmosphere, driven by several compelling narrative threads. It marked Lesnar’s explosive return to WWE following his departure in 2004 and a highly successful career in mixed martial arts, including a reign as UFC Heavyweight Champion. His return after WrestleMania 28, where he attacked Cena, immediately set the stage for a blockbuster confrontation. Cena, meanwhile, was coming off his own career-defining match against The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII, positioning him as the undisputed face of the company.

The match capitalized on its Extreme Rules stipulation, delivering a level of intensity and physicality that was rare for WWE at the time, particularly in an era where the company generally shied away from overt blood and violence. Lesnar immediately established his dominance, brutalizing Cena for the majority of the match with a series of devastating strikes and power moves. This performance effectively laid the groundwork for how dominantly Lesnar would be booked in the years that followed. Despite Lesnar’s relentless assault, Cena embodied his "Super Cena" persona, demonstrating an unparalleled ability to absorb punishment and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. In a dramatic and iconic finish, Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment onto a set of exposed steel steps, securing a hard-fought victory. The confluence of Lesnar’s legitimate fighting background, Cena’s established heroism, the rare stipulation, and the compelling storytelling combined perfectly to produce a match that remains the benchmark for their epic rivalry, a decade after their initial encounter.

As Wrestlepalooza approaches, the final chapter of this historic rivalry will be written. Cena, with his career winding down, seeks a moral victory, while Lesnar aims to further cement his dominance. Their final confrontation will undoubtedly add another layer to the complex and enduring legacy of two of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures.