100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
87. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena (Extreme Rules 2012)
WWE viewed Brock Lesnar as the guy who'd lead them into a new generation post-Rock, Austin, Triple H and more from 2002 onwards, but then he was gone by 2004. That caught everyone by surprise. Speaking of which, it was a shock to see Brock go on to dominate the MMA game with UFC. By 2012, Lesnar was ready to return to pro wrestling's market leader and earn some big coin in blockbuster matches.
John Cena was his first opponent at Extreme Rules 2012. Perhaps the best thing one could say about the titular hardcore match was that it helped show a side to Cena that hadn't surfaced for years. To that point, Brock's MMA influence and history meant he carried an edge to him that few on the WWE roster could claim to match. There was a prevalent sense of danger whenever Lesnar was around.
He potato'd the bejesus out of Cena throughout their match, but John gave a few stiff shots himself. Plus, the sight of Lesnar careening out of control after leaping off the ring steps onto (and eventually over) the ropes added to the sense of peril. This was not your standard WWE match in 2012, and everyone knew it.
Undoubtedly, that uniqueness has aided its cause and led to inclusion here, but Brock's comeback shouldn't be downplayed. He was willing to do business by putting Cena over, therefore showing he could be a team player again, and then Lesnar went on a run that at least matched anything he'd done between 2002-2004.
Danger, danger!