20 Incredible John Cena Matches To Binge-Watch Before He Retires

The end is nigh on over 20 years of John Cena being 'The Face That Runs The Place'. Things are about to get mighty emotional, and not a dry eye will be left in the house as Cena bids farewell to one of the most successful careers of any pro wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots. 

From rivalries that lasted years and etched themselves into history, to short-term feuds that don't get the credit they deserve, and from one-off bangers on weekly television to some of the biggest match-ups in WrestleMania history, Cena has a body of work that justifies his status as one of the greatest of all time. Rather than count down all of the standard 'best of' matches, this is a list that shows off the diversity and range that has seen him draw more emotion out of the WWE Universe than anyone you care to mention.

The last time is finally upon us. Settle in and enjoy John Cena battling hardcore legends, movie stars, Olympic gold medalists, and UFC champions. His time might soon be up, but your time is now.

When people look back at John Cena's career, he will be known for being the most wholesome performer in WWE history. A man who personifies the family entertainment aspect of pro wrestling, his values are what every parent wants to instill in their children, and who can give Captain America a run in truth, justice, and succeeding "the right way".

ECW couldn't be further from Cena's model. A company built on an aesthetic of violence and no-holds-barred extremism, Paul Heyman's upstart company is a foul-mouthed, blood-saturated middle finger to the very idea of Sports Entertainment. These concepts clashing in head-to-head fashion had the potential to be a trainwreck, but everything about this performance at One Night Stand 2006 is essential viewing. 

John Cena's entrance —walking through ECW's iconic brickwork entrance, his cap down and his Spinner Belt aloft — through New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, amid a sea of middle fingers and boos, is the perfect prelude to the toughest performance of his whole career. Defiant in the ring and embracing the spirit of hardcore wrestling throughout a gritty match with Rob Van Dam, even a woeful screwy finish involving Edge and Paul Heyman running down to make the three-count can't prevent this match from being one of the best nights in Cena's career.