batista and John Cena he had parallel journeys in WWE, developing around the same time and becoming the biggest babyface for their respective brands. At WrestleMania 21, they each also won a world title for the first time, and many other comparisons can be drawn between them, even after their time in WWE, as both have pursued careers in Hollywood.
In 2008, this rivalry first started, and then it was revised in 2010 as well. About these chapters of their rivalry, there are a few things fans need to know about it, especially since these were two of the biggest megastars of the time. .
10 Wrestled for the OVW Championship
In 2002, John Cena and Batista were in OVW, WWE’s developmental territory. WWE clearly saw both of them as future stars as they battled for the OVW Heavyweight Championship.
Back then, Cena was “Protoype” and Batista was “Leviathan”, and they had two matches against each other in OVW. Fans should be thankful that these ring names were changed ahead of their main roster calls.
9 Royal Rumble 2005 shenanigans
In 2005, both Cena and Batista were looking to stand out as main entrants, and this led to the top prospects on both Raw and SmackDown facing off as the bottom two men at the 2005 Royal Rumble.
They went back and forth before a flop saw them both fall over the top rope and hit the ground at the same time. This led to confusion and chaos, as Vince McMahon would rush to the ring to restart the match, tearing both quadriceps in the process. This was one of the few times that Cena and Batista met in the ring prior to 2008, and it was very noticeable.
8 World Tag Team Champions
In the summer of 2008, Batista and John Cena finally found themselves on the same brand. They wrestled in a few multi-man matches and also teamed on occasion, although there were some tensions.
They were forced to team up despite the feuding, and would go on to defeat Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase to become the new World Tag Team Champions, though Batista was not overly excited about teaming with Cena.
7 Fight “first time in history” at SummerSlam
Without much reasoning, Batista and John Cena were booked in a SummerSlam match in 2008. In truth, it didn’t take much reasoning, as it was the first time these two had met in a singles match on the main roster.
It was a great occasion, and the pair managed to build a good animosity despite not having much time to make a story out of thin air.
6 Batista almost broke John Cena’s neck
During their match at SummerSlam, which had a decent big fight feel and some good back and forth action, disaster struck. Cena attempted his signature leg drop dive off the top rope, but Batista reversed it and turned it into a powerbomb.
Cena would suffer from a herniated disc in his neck that would require surgery, ruling him out for several months. When he returned, Batista was injured, so there was no follow-up on this match or moment.
5 Thirty-second world title match
At the 2010 Elimination Chamber PPV, Cena outpointed five other men to win the WWE Championship after a grueling thirty-minute match. However, that success and joy would collapse in thirty seconds.
Vince McMahon appeared and announced that Cena would have one more hurdle before WrestleMania, and that Batista would fight for the belt right then and there. Batista outpointed Cena, winning the match in quick fashion, kicking off the next chapter of their rivalry.
4 Questionable booking ahead of their match at WrestleMania
After Cena lost the WWE title, he wanted revenge. Vince McMahon claimed that it was all business since Batista had helped him attack Bret Hart, so the title match was a payoff. McMahon offered Cena the chance to win back a title match, but only if he could defeat Batista. If not, then Sheamus would get the spot.
When Batista and Cena met in the ring, Batista quickly landed a low blow on him, ending the match on a DQ. This made little sense as Batista practically handed a title match to Cena on a silver platter.
3 John Cena takes revenge at WrestleMania 26
At WrestleMania 26, Batista defended his WWE Championship against John Cena in what was a fun sprint to a match that didn’t stick around too long.
Cena would end up getting revenge for the cheap loss of his gold, defeating Batista and standing tall with the WWE title. It was quite a predictable result, but at least the match was entertaining.
2 Last Man Standing Witty Ending
The vast majority of Last Man Standing matches end with a major point to close out the contest, be it a huge knockdown, decisive finishing move, or being knocked unconscious.
Cena dragged Batista’s legs under the ropes and around the ring post, and used duct tape to wrap around Batista’s ankles, trapping him. Due to how he was positioned, he was in an impossible situation to break away or find a way to free himself. It was one of the more creative endings to a Last Man Standing match.
one John Cena makes Batista quit
The final match of the series between Cena and Batista occurred at the Over The Limit PPV in an “I Quit” match, which ended with Batista quitting the fight, before being thrown across the stage.
The next night on Raw, Batista arrived in a wheelchair, bruised and wrapped. He went on a tirade before leaving WWE in the storyline, although this would make him legitimately leave the company. His match with Cena was the last in four years.