Ranking What Was Really The Best Wrestling Entrance Every Year 1990-2021

16. 2006 - John Cena, ECW One Night Stand 2006

Austin Omega
WWE

John Cena didn't belong in ECW. At all.

He was a gurning child-friendly throwback superhero who worked a distinctly WWE-flavoured style, and wasn't even around when the original was.

In a marvellous, inspired spot of booking that recognised the power of philosophical collision, WWE knew this very well. This is why he was positioned to launch Rob Van Dam's elusive, cursed top guy run. Cena himself knew it in a masterstroke brimming with dangerous energy: he resolutely tried to play the game, showing ass time and time again with every rejected crowd interaction to get that awesome contrast even more over.

John Cena was the "polarising" top star. Situated in enemy territory, there were few better modern heels.

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!