50 Ups & 50 Downs For WWE's Decade: The 2010s
29. The John Cena United States Title Open Challenge
Taking an almighty step back in order to try and help the company leap forward, John Cena's 2015 was spent mostly giving as many newer or younger talents the opportunity to shine even if their final destination was similar to just about everybody else he'd faced over the prior ten years.
The John Cena United States Title Open Challenge produced a series of absolute bangers, allowing the likes of Cesaro, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Neville and Kevin Owens the opportunity to express themselves on WWE's flagship against one of the biggest stars in its history right as he worked to level up to them. The quality was rising within the industry at large, but Cena spotted where the wind was blowing and got in front of it with a series of captivating clashes.
It was a genuinely unique career move for 'The Champ' to take, and one of his last as a full-timer.