2003 was a year of development for John Cena, but 2004 was when he really came into his own. Towards the tail end of the year, fans had started really getting into what the guy was doing. There had been a real desire from those watching to see something new, and Cena provided that. Thus, fans got behind him and he became a babyface before 2004. A good showing in the Royal Rumble was followed up by the mountainous task of opening up WrestleMania XX. To date, Cena hadn't captured title gold in the company, but that would change on wrestling's biggest stage. There was a old-school feel to Cena's battle against The Big Show for the WWE United States Title, but it was one that worked a treat. The live crowd at Madison Square Garden were red-hot for the 10 minute scrap, going ballistic when Cena dropped the giant with his 'F-U' (now 'Attitude Adjustment'). Behind the curtain, Vince McMahon and company must have realised they had the chance to create a major star. That's exactly what would happen by the time WrestleMania rolled around the next year.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
