WWE Greatest Royal Rumble: Star Ratings For All 10 Matches

10. John Cena Vs. Triple H

This bout would have been right at home headlining a big Madison Square Garden event sometime in the late '80s. Slow, methodical, and minimalist, it was built almost entirely around crowd control. They had no real need to go beyond third gear because the Saudi Arabian audience lapped up everything they did. At one point, Triple H stood over a downed Cena, turned his head to the crowd, and sneered, drawing one of the night's loudest jeer choruses. When that's all it takes to draw reactions, why do any more?

Cena vs. Triple H was the antithesis of the modern indie style, with headlocks and tests of strength aplenty, but it worked. These two old pros knew exactly what they were doing. They caught the crowd early, before they'd expended any energy, and worked a style that had them hooked throughout. That's what professional wrestling is all about, not double rotation Moonsaults, announce table spots, and Canadian Destroyers.

There's a clear ceiling for this kind of bout in the modern era, but Cena vs. Triple H was about the best version of it.

Star Rating: ***3/4