8. John Cena Shocks The World And Returns Early From Injury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyMa2A15tKY The most enduring aspect of John Cena's legacy may well end up being that he drew such a divided reaction out of the fanbase during his time as the #1 star in the world. Some might call him overrated and others might refer to him as underappreciated. The love-hate relationship that he has with wrestling enthusiasts is undeniable. The mixed response began during his first year as a main-eventer, when he ditched "Basic Thuganomics" and strayed away from his hip hop roots in favor of the man that you see today. In the last nine years, there has been just one moment in time when it seemed that everyone was universally and positively - excited about his presence. During the 2008 Royal Rumble match, the countdown had begun signaling the final entrant. As #30 was about to make his entrance, the Madison Square Garden faithful (and everyone watching at home), mundanely went through the routine of the "Five...four...three...two...one," expecting little more than fodder for Triple H en route to his presumed match at WrestleMania with Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. (Pause to remember that quiet moment between the buzzer and the music). When "My Time is Now" began blaring over the arena speakers, the wrestling world stood in unison. John Cena, who had torn the pectoral muscle completely off of his shoulder in early October, had busted his rear end for three months and returned in late January, medically cleared and ready to go. From a clinical standpoint, rehabilitative marvels happen all the time, but three months for the surgical repair, healing, physical therapy, and full back to normal activity recovery of a torn pectoral put Cena in a category of amazing human beings. John Cena is about as close to Superman as we're likely to ever see in human form. And on that one night and for that few minutes that led him to winning the Royal Rumble match in 2008, the entire wrestling world seemed to appreciate him.
"The Doc" Chad Matthews has written wrestling columns for over a decade. A physician by trade, Matthews began writing about wrestling as a hobby, but it became a passion. After 30 years as a wrestling fan, "The Doc" gives an unmatched analytical perspective on pro wrestling in the modern era. He is a long-time columnist for Lordsofpain.net and hosts a weekly podcast on the LOP Radio Network called "The Doc Says." His first book - The WrestleMania Era: The Book of Sports Entertainment - ranks the Top 90 wrestlers from 1983 to present day, was originally published in December 2013, and is now in its third edition.
Matthews lives in North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.