The Guy who ‘Never Gives Up’ has indeed tappedJohn Cena uncharacteristically heads into Night of Champions to challenge for a secondary title when he battles the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins for the United States Championship.Though Rollins has certainly been anointed as the man to lead WWE into the future, it seems highly unlikely that the WWE Creative would allow him to beat Cena cleanly. While Rollins retaining the title with a Pedigree(Gosh, he has lost his identity along with the loss of the Curb Stomp) is unlikely barring some interference, his chances of making the main man of the company submit is beyond the question.This is not because Rollins does not have a reliable submission maneuver in his arsenal, but due to the manner in which Cena has been booked over the years as the man who never quits. While the past mainstays of the company like Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock have tapped out in high profile matches, many people are not even aware whether Cena has actually tapped out to anyone.WWE might be wise to cover up the eyes of the fans by making it seem that the master of ‘Never give up’ has indeed never given up, the truth lies elsewhere. This list takes a look at each instance of John Cena tapping out in an actual WWE match.P.S : blink and you will miss it – because this list is very short and does not includes any tap outs that occur after the match has ended – Sorry Y2J – that 2002 demolition of Cena does not count.
#1 No Mercy 2003 - Kurt Angle
John Cena made his debut in the WWE as a babyface under the moniker of the kid with ‘ruthless aggression’ and his first opponent was Kurt Angle. While Cena would boldly slap Angle across the face to start the match, it would be the Olympic gold medallist who would come out on top with a pinning combination.
The two would square off again a year later at No Mercy and this time Cena was the heel under the ‘Thuganomics’ gimmick.
The match would be another one of the often used ‘respect’ angles in the WWE and the two would have a highly entertaining match which would end with Angle countering Cena’s F-U into a victory roll and converting it into the dreaded Ankle lock. It wouldn’t take long for Cena to tap out.
Given the reputation WWE has built for Cena over the years, one can safely assume that this match will not be featured much in the WWE network for the fans who buy into the $9.99 gimmick!!!
#2 SmackDown 2003 - Chris Benoit
A few months after his first submission defeat to Kurt Angle, Cena would tap again – this time to the forgotten man of WWE, Chris Benoit. The match would happen on SmackDown after the previous week’s battle royal to determine the No:1 contender for Brock Lesnar’s WWE Championship ended in the oh-so-predictable ‘two men touching the ground at the same time’ facade.
Benoit and Cena would have a solid match on SmackDown in December 2003. Cena, a face now, would battle an injured right arm to stay in the match and reach the ropes to break Benoit’s Sharpshooter submission hold.
However, The Big Show would provide a distraction, allowing the Rabid Wolverine to put Cena in his trademark Crippler Crossface hold to produce an almost instantaneous tap out and earn his shot at the WWE title. Ironically Benoit himself would lose his title match at the hands of Lesnar’s submission manoeuvre – Not the Kimura, but the short lived Brock Lock.
Cena would begin a program with The Big Show culminating in a United States title match at Wrestlemania 20 where he would capture his first piece of WWE silverware.
#3 No Way Out 2004 - Kurt Angle
This marks Kurt Angle’s second entry into the list and makes one wonder how the WWE top brass could not grant Angle’s recent interest in returning to the WWE – an angle with Cena focussing on their history would have been big money stuff. But, with the WWE Creative, logic and common sense are often undervalued behavioural traits.
This match also involved the Big Show and curiously, was another No:1 Contender’s match for the WWE Championship held by Brock Lesnar ( even though the world title would change hands on the same night to Eddie Guerrero). The match stole the show at the No Way Out PPV in Daly City, California with near fall after near fall following each superstar hitting the other with his finishing move.
Neither an Angle Slam nor an F-U could finish off The BigShow and as usual, the Chokeslam could not deliver the goods. Finally, Angle turned the tide by Angle Slamming the 500 pound giant out of the ring.
The Olympian proceeded to clip the Cena’s leg and apply his Ankle Lock, leaving the future ‘Hustle, Loyalty and Respect’ crusader with no choice but to tap. Angle would proceed to Wrestlemania to meet Guerrero for the WWE title.
Ironically, the very next year – at the same PPV – Angle and Cena would once again compete for the No:1 Contendership. This time, Cena would win leading to a title match with JBL at Wrestlemania which would officially herald his ascent as the new face of the WWE
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
