10 Most Heated WWE Crowd Reactions Ever

3. ECW One Night Stand - June 11, 2006

John Cena Crowd Reactions
WWE

What is astonishing about the sheer volume generated by the hatred directed towards John Cena at the second ECW One Night Stand event is that there were only 2,460 people in New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

The natives somehow made even more noise than a packed arena housing five times their number. The intimate acoustics doubtlessly helped - but Cena's position, as a trademark "WWE guy" and persona non grata, created an atmosphere as unique as it was toxic for Rob Van Dam's challenge of his WWE Championship.

Cena played his role perfectly, playing into the dynamic and subverting it when he kept tossing his t-shirt into the crowd. He feigned obliviousness, but he knew exactly what he was doing: manipulating the audience into a state of delirium more so than hatred. The match itself was plagued by botches - much like an honourable mention, his match with Triple H at WrestleMania 22, it doesn't really hold up - but it only added to the singular presentation.

As Cena made his entrance, the camera panned to a sign bearing the slogan "If Cena Wins We Riot". It has become a wrestling cliche in the years since - but the unique atmosphere was such that the possibility wasn't as remote as it is now. At least, before Cena displayed a grasp of psychology belying his reputation.

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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!