10 Jaw-Dropping Answers To Wrestling Open Challenges

9. John Cena Debuts

How ironic is it that Cena debuted in WWE by answering somebody else’s open challenge?

In June of 2002, Kurt Angle invited anyone that he had never faced before to step in the ring with the Olympic gold medalist. A rookie from Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s developmental territory at the time, marched down the ramp and told Angle that he possessed ruthless aggression. Then he slapped the milk out of Angle’s mouth.

Over the next few minutes, Cena went toe-to-toe with the former World champion, surprisingly holding his own until Angle trapped him with a float-over pin. Nobody knew Cena’s name before the bout, but nobody would forget his name afterward.

It remains the perfect example of how an open challenge can create a new superstar and future headliner.