14 Greatest Rubber Matches In Wrestling History

12. John Cena Vs. Randy Orton - WWE Bragging Rights 2009

With endless draft trades between Raw and Smackdown, the idea of a pay-per-view built around winning bragging rights was always flawed - yet it seemed fitting for the end of a vicious rivalry between John Cena and Randy Orton. As two of WWE's biggest stars, Cena and Orton had a huge amount of history dating back over two years before this match. Their anything goes iron man match at Bragging Rights served as a definitive exclamation point on their battle for the WWE Championship. During the summer of 2009, Big Match John and The Viper fought for the belt at four consecutive pay-per-views. Their feud started at Summerslam, where Cena challenged Orton for the WWE Championship. Cena lost after a 'fan' - revealed to be the brother of Orton's Legacy stable-mate Ted Dibiase - interfered and the distraction allowed Orton to hit Cena with an RKO. With the match ending in a farce, a rematch was called and Cena beat Orton for the title in an I Quit match at Breaking Point, but Orton won the belt back at Hell In A Cell. The two decided on an iron man match to settle the feud once and for all. If Cena won, he became champion, but if Orton won, Cena would have to move to Smackdown. Cena had the first fall in just minutes, making Orton tap out immediately to an STF. A few minutes later, Orton caught Cena with an RKO to tie up the scores. The match took a hardcore turn, with Orton smashing Cena with an announcer's monitor, steel steps, and a microphone, busting him open. Orton took the lead after throwing Cena through the set's lighting and later tried to light Cena on fire with the set pyrotechnics. The match really pushed the boundaries, getting as brutal as things can in the PG era. In a manner fitting to his character, Cena continually fought his way back into the match despite Orton being in total control for large parts of the contest. With a minute to go, Cena locked Orton into an STF. Orton tapped out with six seconds left to go, ending the match and making Cena the new WWE Champion. It's hardly a technical masterpiece, but as gutsy brawls with numerous high spots go, it's pretty great.