10 Times WWE Got The Royal Rumble Winner Wrong
6. John Cena (2013)
Both of John Cena’s Royal Rumble victories were bitter pills to swallow for his vast army of haters, but at least 2008 came under softer circumstances. Sidelined with a serious injury several months prior, it was touch and go as to whether Cena would make it back for WrestleMania, let alone the Rumble. His sudden appearance produced a massive pop in Madison Square Garden, and like him or not, it’ll go down as one of the best surprise returns in Rumble history.
Unfortunately, there’s almost nothing favourable about his win in 2013. His “One In A Lifetime” match against The Rock was a huge WrestleMania success the previous year, so of course WWE decided to run it into the ground. Vince McMahon decided there had to be a rematch, and thus, The Rock defeated CM Punk to become WWE Champion as a part-timer, and John Cena won the Royal Rumble.
Thus began the joyless slog to WrestleMania, and “Once In A Lifetime 2.” The next few months saw The Rock at his obnoxious worst in the lead-up to the big event, and their return match fell almost entirely flat. John Cena vs. The Rock 2 headlined WrestleMania 29, but the magic was gone, and by the time Cena’s hand was raised in victory, most fans were just glad it was over.