15 Greatest Match Finishes In Modern Wrestling History
10. AJ Styles Vs. John Cena - WWE Royal Rumble 2017
Fun and savvy as John Cena's latter career output was - his improbable but welcome embrace of the hybrid indie banger turned many fans around on his legacy, right at the death - those matches weren't particularly rich in depth. In 2015, Cena was more selfless and refreshing than great. He was actually better in 2007 as a blood-drenched, spirited, traditional babyface worker.
Nor was Cena the greatest athlete.
That might be harsh - Cena if nothing else boasted as much stamina as anyone - but the matches weren't beautiful technical works. He used his ability to manipulate crowds into the big-fight feel to haul them over the line.
Royal Rumble 2017 was different, though.
With Cena gunning for Ric Flair's record, whether it was bullsh*t or not, the finish to his WWE Title win over AJ Styles was artful. After the thrilling my-turn-your-turn drama of the match, Cena hit AJ with the AA. In a fabulous spot that put both men over, Cena used his strength to roll through. He looked like a snarling, muscled beast with AJ on his shoulders. Cena's facial expression was awesome here. Cena drove AJ to the mat a second time. It served as a reminder of who John Cena was at the perfect time. He wasn't some old man keeping pace with the youth.
He was an all-time great powerhouse who still had the hunger to be the best. Through his brilliant use of body language, Cena could not have made the record-tying victory look more emphatic nor important.