10 Best WWE Title Runs Ever
3. John Cena - September 17, 2006 To October 2, 2007
John Cena's third run with the WWE Heavyweight Title was the work of a true pro wrestling polymath - "work" being the operative word.
Taught a sobering lesson by Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 23, Cena belatedly learned it a few weeks later on RAW in which he graduated selling school in a marathon masterclass in London. Prior to that, strangely, Cena actually sold magnificently for Umaga at the 2007 Royal Rumble in a brutal, realistic and lively update of the old Hulk Hogan/Undertaker Vs. The Monster Of The Week formula. A scolded student in Detroit, Cena turned teacher at One Night Stand and The Great American Bash in matches opposite The Great Khali and Bobby Lashley which, given their respective physical limitations and main event experience, were deeply impressive feats worthy of a true elder statesman, a true talisman, a true Face That Runs The Place. Achieving elusive consistency, eventually, Cena drew well throughout an era unsullied by the repetitive trilogies that would define his character and the product in the post-Network era.
Operating excellently in singles and multi-man action, this run was forged by a humble in-ring performer who worked d*mn hard to earn the plaudits.