20 Incredible WWE Ruthless Aggression Era Moments Nobody Ever Talks About

20. The John Cena Vs. Great Khali Feud

Applying parameters to this article, since there's no such thing as 'Ruthless Aggression' really - Vince McMahon said it for a fortnight while his samey product didn't fundamentally change, playa - the period covered is between 2002 and 2008. The 'PG Era' informed more actual change, and that's how the fanbase at large divides the time periods anyway.

Ruthless Aggression poster boy John Cena entered improbably awesome performances at Judgment Day and One Night Stand 2007. Somehow - through his motivation, Arn Anderson's layouts, perhaps a mystical force from on high - the man carried the Great Khali to something compelling and dynamic.

Twice!

The Judgment Day main event wasn't necessarily good - Cena's opening barrage of punches made Shane McMahon look like Sugar Ray Robinson - but it was inordinately effective. Cena at least threw himself down to the mat with a motivated snap. He knew he had to create movement and some nightmarish aural thuds to get it over. Khali played his role remarkably well too, aiming his awful strikes at Cena's ears and even lifting his leg higher than he ever had in his life to connect with a back kick.

The One Night Stand match was even better; an arena-wide brawl, it was significantly less trope-y than many plunder matches WWE presents today. Virtually every weapon used - cameras, the crane - actually belonged in the environment, making it feel like a desperate Cena was grabbing whatever he could get his hands on to survive the onslaught.

- MS