The much-anticipated WWE 2K23 will see the return of the 2K Showcase Mode, which features the iconic John Cena as its cover star. However, in a surprising twist, players will not assume the role of Cena, but rather play as some of Cena's most formidable adversaries, all with one objective in mind - to defeat the unyielding Cena.
This unique gameplay experience allows for the inclusion of some of Cena's most significant losses, providing players with the opportunity to play as various characters and not just as Cena himself. Narrated by Cena, the 2K Showcase Mode spans over two decades of his WWE career, seamlessly blending gameplay with live-action footage to bring critical moments in each match to life.
14 John Cena Vs. Kurt Angle - SmackDown (June 27, 2002)
The showcase begins with Cena's famous debut. The unknown John Cena stepped up to Kurt Angle's open challenge a few days later, dressed in plain attire, and fearlessly faced off against Angle, displaying a simple yet effective booking. Cena's iconic "Ruthless Aggression" line, followed by an electric display of offense, captivated the audience, who were drawn to support him. Though Angle dominated, Cena's near-falls and grit showed him to be a formidable competitor.
13 John Cena Vs. Brock Lesnar - Backlash 2003
In April 2003, WWE fans witnessed a clash of the titans as Brock Lesnar, the babyface WWE Champion, took on John Cena, the heel challenger, in a title match. At 25 years old, Lesnar made history by becoming the youngest WWE Champion ever. The match was Cena's first major failure, which is why this moment earns a place on the showcase.
12 John Cena Vs. The Undertaker - Vengeance 2003
The narrative goes that John Cena, the self-proclaimed legend, resorted to a shady tactic, pulling the tights to defeat Orlando Jordan. The ensuing brawl between Cena and Jordan was disrupted by The Undertaker, who came to Jordan's aid. During a match against Billy Gunn, Undertaker distracted Cena, prompting Cena to unleash a defiant monologue from a cemetery, where he even went so far as to urinate on a nearby tombstone. Undertaker vowed to silence Cena and he did that at Vengeance 2003.
11 John Cena Vs. Edge - New Year’s Revolution 2006
New Year’s Revolution 2006 was one of the most memorable moments of both John Cena and Edge's careers. After Cena successfully retained his WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber, Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and stole the title from a beaten-down Cena. It also launched the feud between Cena and one of his greatest foes, Edge.
10 John Cena Vs. Rob Van Dam - ECW One Night Stand 2006
John Cena was no stranger to hostile audiences in WWE. He is one of the most polarizing wrestlers of all time. He never entered an arena where he was more hated than One Night Stand 2006. With the odds stacked against him, he almost retained his WWE Championship, but Edge helped Rob Van Dam win the title and relaunch ECW for a few years.
9 John Cena Vs. Edge - SummerSlam 2006
The 2006 feud between Edge and John Cena was an exceptional display of riveting rivalry, culminating in an intense WWE Championship main event. The stakes were high for the "Rated R Superstar", who needed to exercise caution as a deliberate disqualification would cost him the WWE Championship.
The dynamic interplay between the babyface and heel was outstanding, with superb chemistry evident between the two wrestlers. Even Lita, the WWE Women's Champion, wielded a chair, though Edge refrained from using it to avoid losing the WWE Championship. Ultimately, the Rated-R Superstar emerged victorious, successfully retaining his title by delivering a brutal blow to Cena with a pair of brass knuckles.
8 John Cena Vs. Triple H - Night of Champions 2008
The long-awaited rematch between two of the most prominent figures in the wrestling world finally happened at Night of Champions 2008. Cena, having made Triple H submit at WrestleMania 22, demonstrated that he was on par with the legendary "Game." Now, at Night of Champions, Triple H aimed to rectify his errors and regain his championship belt while avenging his previous loss to Cena.
7 John Cena Vs. Batista - SummerSlam 2008
The first-ever showdown between John Cena and Batista, legendary titans of WWE, was a momentous occasion. It recounted the saga of how, in the hallowed WrestleMania 21 of 2005, Cena and Batista each won a World Championship in a night of glory. Cena and Batista were the two faces of the company. After three years of rising to the pinnacle, the two clashed in an iconic match that ended in a big victory for Batista.
6 John Cena Vs. Randy Orton - Hell in a Cell 2009
It couldn't be a Cena Showcase without at least one Randy Orton match. Their battle at Hell in a Cell 2009 is not one of the most critically acclaimed matches of their long rivalry, but this match did sum up a year-long feud.
5 John Cena Vs. The Rock - WrestleMania 28
Following months of anticipation, the stage was set for the ultimate clash of egos between John Cena and The Rock at WrestleMania 28. Their monumental "Once in a Lifetime" showdown was no ordinary match. The eventual outcome saw The Rock emerge victorious over Cena, having landed a thunderous second Rock Bottom that sealed the deal with a resounding 1-2-3. This was just the beginning of their legendary feud.
4 John Cena Vs. Brock Lesnar - SummerSlam 2014
The headlining match of SummerSlam 2014 was remarkably distinctive, standing out among the rest in the event's history thanks to one main reason, the way Cena lost. Brock Lesnar's complete domination of John Cena resulted in a stunning victory, as Cena was relentlessly hurled around the ring. This resounding defeat was unprecedented for Cena, resulting in a match that added a new layer to their long feud.
3 John Cena Vs. AJ Styles - SummerSlam 2016
The monumental first singles match between Styles and Cena occurred at the 2016 Money in the Bank PPV, where Styles won due to help from his allies Gallows & Anderson. Cena disputed the victory, seeking vengeance against Styles and his Club for utilizing their numerical advantage.
This led to their rematch at SummerSlam 2016, which was set to be a fair and unbiased contest. Unlike their previous match that was full of interference, this one would be a pure, straight-up singles match with no interference or underhanded tactics. It was the ultimate showdown to determine the superior wrestler between the two.
2 John Cena Vs. The Undertaker - WrestleMania 34
John Cena did not have an opponent in the buildup to WrestleMania 34 and called out The Deadman who had lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33. Cena was defeated in less than 3 minutes in this match that was major since it involved Cena battling Taker at Mania.
1 John Cena Vs. Roman Reigns - SummerSlam 2021
Cena made a surprise appearance and challenged Reigns for the Universal title at SummerSlam 2021. Reigns at first refused and accepted a challenge from Finn Balor instead. But just as Balor was about to sign the contract, he was attacked by Baron Corbin.
Cena then seized the opportunity and signed the contract himself. The match was significant because Cena was vying to break the record for the most World Title reigns, a number (16) Cena still shares with 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair.