50 Worst Wrestling Moments Of The 2020s (So Far)

8. Cody Rhodes Vs. John Cena

John Cena Cody Rhodes
WWE

In one of the worst main events in WrestleMania history, John Cena broke the “record” for most World titles won.

The match played out in two awful phases. Initially, after a ginger and woefully un-dynamic Cena treated the canvas like lava when barely bumping on it, he took control. A methodical WWE-style slog: again, the Cena heel character was woefully lacking in imagination. The match then degenerated into spammed finisher kick-out slop - every big, broad WWE match you’d ever seen. That’s not necessarily a bad thing at all, when the drama is thick, but this was just much too slow and telegraphed.

Then, rapper and Cena associate Travis Scott emerged. You wanted the Rock; you got the Disciple. Scott took ages to get in the ring, and when he did, a familiar scene played out. Ref bump. Belt shot tease. Etc.

Cody Rhodes, in the end, could not bring himself to cheat his hero with the belt shot. Even though his hero had kicked the piss out of him. Even though he’d used violent means to put away both AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Even though it made him look like an absolute geek.

This was a finish the tippy-top megastars of old would tell even Vince to kick rocks for suggesting.

This, with no hyperbole, was what a cynical WWE hater would have joked about happening - only, it actually happened.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!