5 Reasons Lesnar vs Cena At Night Of Champions Was WWE Match Of The Year

5. The Kimura

The idea that mixed martial artist Brock Lesnar didn't really use any "martial arts" in his first encounter with John Cena was a fact likely lost on the crowd while they were gasping in complete shock at the level of the beatdown Lesnar was laying upon the 15-time WWE champion. However, when Lesnar applied his signature kimura armbar submission, that changed everything. There was very little in the way of judo throws or submission wrestling in the first match, but when Lesnar broke out the move that has "broken the arms" of Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Mark Henry, the wind being let out of the sails of the WWE Universe was immediately apparent. It was as if Lesnar's first beating of Cena was too entertaining, and instead, wanting to stymie Cena's eager offensive assault, he would lock on this hold that would either slow Cena considerably, or allow Lesnar certain victory. As well, unrelated, the power spot of Cena lifting Lesnar (while he had Cena locked in the vaunted submission) was a moment for Cena's career, one of those "Rise Above Hate" moments that can inspire downtrodden children worldwide.