In October 2007, John Cena's year-long WWE Championship reign came to a premature end when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle that would sideline him for six-to-eight months. The company suddenly was without the top babyface in the industry for nearly a year, their best backup planning being another Triple H babyface run that likely would have failed as miserably as every other one had before it. Still, The Game was the favorite to win the Royal Rumble match in January 2008 and head to WrestleMania to challenge Randy Orton for the WWE Champion, reigniting the rivalry between the former Evolution teammates. And for a good bit of time, it appeared as though the Cerebral Assassin actually would win, as expected. Then, the clock counted down, each second that passed bringing the 2008 Rumble one step closer to its conclusion. When the buzzer sounded, the fans erupted into one of the loudest reactions in event history as Cena's music played over the PA system and the franchise player walked through the curtain. A smile a mile wide on his face, Cena stepped into Madison Square Garden and soaked in the moment, the reaction and the fact that he had made on the of most improbable recoveries known to men. After only three months, he was back and ready to win him a Royal Rumble match. And that is exactly what he did, delivering an Attitude Adjustment that sent Triple H over the top rope and scored Cena his first Rumble victory. Still proof that surprises are possible, even in the Internet age of sports-entertainment.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
