Selling John Cena as an underdog is always difficult. It was especially difficult at the Royal Rumble in 2007. Umaga was an intimidating presence, but by the time the Royal Rumble event came around, John Cena had already pinned him to retain his WWE Championship. The formerly undefeated Umaga had just lost to John Cena, and it seemed almost inconceivable that Cena wouldn't main event Wrestlemania 23 defending the WWE Championship. Much to the distain of a large portion of the Internet Wrestling Community, the fact that this match makes this list is a testament to just how good a wrestler John Cena is. He may not be the best in-ring technician or have the largest moveset, but John Cena has the crowd in the palm of his hand and knows exactly how to pace a match to get the reaction he wants. Somehow, at some point in this match, Cena became the underdog again. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly how he did it. If your dislike of John Cena is so strong that you fundamentally object to this match making the list, here's justification for you: it's also a Jim Ross classic. Ross sells the whole match like only he can. When John Cena has the STF locked in, choking Umaga with the ring rope and Ross chips in with "even a monster's gotta breathe!" it's the perfect cap on a great match. A match where a bloody John Cena proved that he didn't need to be carried to greatness.
Michael Palmer is a contributor at whatculture.com and thelineofbestfit.com, and he probably likes WWE slightly more than most people would call "healthy".
