10 Matches That Made Chicago The Hottest Wrestling City In The World
3. John Cena Vs Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules 2012)
Brock Lesnar's 2012 return came at a time in which the company had only dipped a toe into part time employment for megastars. This may explain the befuddling decision to have John Cena defeat him in his first WWE contest for eight years, but the result didn't undermine an explosive fray that saw the Chicago crowd baying for 'The Champ's blood.
Less than a year after their hometown hero had vanquished the leader of the Cenation, the crowd were now on the shoulder of 'The Beast' as he unleashed merciless destruction on his fellow OVW alumni.
Roaring the former UFC Champion on, the audience were unrelenting in their vitriol towards the still-cartoonish Cena. This may have been motivated by witnessing the 'Voice of the Voiceless' languishing in a tepid encounter with Chris Jericho buried in the middle of the card despite carrying the WWE Title since the prior November.
Lesnar bloodied Cena in seconds, leathering him with elbows and fists. The initial shock from the WWE crowd turned to anger when doctors actually tried to help stem the flow of claret. The beatings continued from there, with Brock's now-familiar intensity increasing the drama with reckless throws and an insane dive from some steel steps in the middle of the ring on to Cena on the arena floor.
Remarkably emerging unscathed from the crumpled heap, Brock chuckled at the chaos as nearly 15,000 Chicagoans breathlessly urged him to finish the job. His eventual loss following a beating with a chain and Attitude Adjustment onto the steel stairs did little to dull their enthusiasm.