Edge
If you ask any Cena fan who they thought was the greatest rival of John Cena, you can expect to hear the name of the “Rated-R Superstar” Edge, going by Adam Copeland in AEW now, more times than you can imagine. Again, you may ask, “Why is that?” Cena and Edge needed each other, and they found one another at the right time.
In 2006, Cena was firmly in the trenches as WWE’s “next top guy.” Unfortunately, fans were already turning on him despite being the top dog for just a little under a year. On the flip side, Edge had to overcome setback after setback due to injury. When he was finally ready to break through, he needed his first great opponent.
Thus, a career-defining rivalry was born in 2006 at New Year’s Revolution. Cena, who went through hell and back, managed to come out of an Elimination Chamber Match still WWE Champion. When the “Champ” thought he survived, there was one more surprise waiting for him before the night ended.
For the first time in WWE History, the Money in the Bank contract would be cashed in, and Edge shocked the world on that night to claim his first WWE Championship. This moment created a ripple effect that brought us, potentially, Cena’s most memorable matches, specifically their Unforgiven 2006 TLC Match in Toronto, and cemented him as the face that will run the place for many years to come.
Edge didn’t come out of this feud a loser either, as the Rated-R Superstar was catapulted into mega stardom in the years following his trials with Cena. If Edge hadn’t retired in 2011, who knows how many more amazing matches the two could’ve had going into the 2010s?
Today, fans are still clamoring for one more match between the two. Unfortunately, it isn’t in the cards, considering the obvious circumstances.
Who do you think is the best rival of John Cena during his WWE Career? Sound off in the comments.
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