10 Best Major John Cena Feuds

7. Vs. Daniel Bryan

John Cena Daniel Bryan Summerslam
WWE.com

It resulted in just one match - but in the era of the prolonged trilogy, that's no bad thing. It's welcome.

John Cena selected Daniel Bryan as his opponent in the storyline because there were was no other viable option. The American Dragon breathed fire, post-WrestleMania 29, assembling a catalogue of weekly minor classics on TV and reorienting his "Yes!" schtick from comedic bit of fan interaction to genuine movement. Sportsmanlike beginnings revealed, with expert pacing, an undercurrent of personal tension based on real-life sentiment. In an electric MizTV segment, Bryan revealed that he wore a parody John Cena t-shirt because he perceived John Cena as a parody of wrestling. That was an amazing, cutting line in and of itself. It also served the basis of their sole match.

That match was miles better than any of Cena's countless matches with Randy Orton. That rivalry typified the most generic aspects of the WWE style. Cena Vs. Bryan evolved it. Their match was heavy on trademark WWE storytelling and structure, but with technical-leaning content and puroresu-inspired psychology. Bryan won a free slap battle, borrowing the fighting spirit trope, to symbolise his ascension as a true main event player as well as WWE's in-ring progression.

It accomplished everything a wrestling feud should. Pity about the aftermath.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!