That was awesome! (clap clap clapclapclap): John Cena finishes Umaga in a Last Man Standing match

by Sergio Hernandez on Dec 12, 2011 6:00 PM EST

Depending on who you ask, John Cena is either the greatest Superstar in the history of the WWE or he's the worst thing to ever happen to the industry.

His detractors claim he ruined the edginess Vince McMahon's product was once known for and his character is stale, trite, and just flat out boring.

The most damning accusaton levied at Cena is that he can't wrestle.

During his Survivor Series tag team match that saw him tagging up with The Rock against the team of The Miz and R-Truth, the Madison Square Garden crowd relentlessly chanted "you can't wrestle" at the 12-time world champion.

For as "smart" as New York audiences are supposed to be, that's a pretty dumb thing to say. Cena can work and he's got the resume to back it up. And while he isn't inside the ring busting out five star classics each and every night -- but then again, who is? Put your hand down early to mid-80s Ric Flair -- he can still impress even the most jaded wrestling fan.

He did so back in 2007 at the Royal Rumble when he took on Umaga in a fantastic -- and decidedly non-PG -- Last Man Standing match whose ending made everyone -- children and adults alike -- mark out like crazy.

Check it out.

I've got my issues with the Cena character. In-ring ability isn't one of them.

If you have any ideas for something that made you say "that was awesome!!!" pass it along. Make sure to include either your name or your SBNation handle -- whichever you'd like to be used -- and you'll get a shout out if your idea is used! Contact me at sergio.hernandez.tx@gmail.com.

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Cena was awesome then, Umaga was a believeable monster heel.

And who better to beat him then (rapper/hardcore) John Cena. Almost as good as the brawl with JBL

I buried Banago.
A. Silva

by Lance Storm on Dec 12, 2011 6:12 PM EST reply actions

2007 Cena was also working on an otherworldly level.

Probably on par with Bret’s ‘93-’94, better than HBK’s ‘96. Who else would be up there? Definitely better than HHH’s smoke-and-mirrors ‘00. He’s not like ‘80s Savage or ’87/’88 Steamboat or anything, but he’s at least in that conversation to some degree.

He hasn’t been the same since his neck injury, but he’s still a solid worker in terms of his in-ring output.

by Razztopia on Dec 12, 2011 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Completely agree

the “you can’t wrestle” chant bugs the shit out of me too since it’s clearly not true.

LeBron James - 0 Charles Barkley - 0 Karl Malone/John Stockton - 0 Sun Yue -1

by sun yue on Dec 12, 2011 7:17 PM EST up reply actions

Better than HBK's 95

Please don’t talk crazy.

Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.

by Geno Mrosko on Dec 12, 2011 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

What's so great about HBK's '96?

I like it and everything, but HBK/Hart Iron Man didn’t age well and neither did HBK/Mankind. I think his match with Diesel at Good Friends, Better Enemies was his best output, but it’s not as good as Cena’s best (the LMS mentioned in this post). Then what? HBK/Sid I was good because Sid was crazy over at MSG. HBK/Vader was a straight-up disappointment.

I’m assuming that you meant HBK’s ‘96, by the way, because HBK’s ’95 was unremarkable except for his carry job of Nash at WM and his IC title match with Jarrett.

So yeah, Cena’s ‘07 shits all over HBK’s ’96, unless you have an actual argument for believing otherwise.

by Razztopia on Dec 12, 2011 7:44 PM EST reply actions

I thought Umaga was a hell of a talent

Though I thought he would have been served better by a slightly different gimmick. Monster heel who can’t speak English only has so much traction.

And I don’t remember if it was this match of not, but Cena had a really cool spot with Umaga where he undid the ring rope and used it to choke him out. Cena is a lightening rod for the IWC marks but in the right match against the right opponent he can do some strong work.

Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook

by Billy Gomila on Dec 12, 2011 7:55 PM EST reply actions