10 WWE Stars Loved For The Wrong Match
5. John Cena
Loved for: John Cena Vs. CM Punk, Money In The Bank 2011
Belated respect for Big Match John's Big Workrate, or profound admiration for a labour of love crafted by a challenger with newfound creative freedom? The merit is likely somewhere in the middle - but this was CM Punk's match, even if he did not structure it move for move. The premise was escape: could Punk escape from Cena's powerful arsenal, move for move, and "split" with his WWE Championship? He did, after a selfless (if not entirely smooth) performance from the Champ.
Deserves as much, if not more credit for: John Cena Vs. Bobby Lashley, Great American Bash 2007
Cena is either inconsistent or selective when not paired with a flattering opponent - but, at the Great American Bash 2007, he proved himself capable of the elder statesman role many thought beyond him. He played that role in reality and fiction, acknowledging the superior strength of the younger model and using his in-ring experience to punish Lashley's lack of refinement. It was an ambitious plot, given Cena's in-ring struggles, but to the man's credit, he played the role with some authority.
The sort of match his detractors skim over, Cena owned his vet status a full eight years before he played one onscreen.