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Recognized worldwide as one of the greatest performers to ever grace a WWE ring, John Cena has managed to gravitate the attention of the audience for more than a decade now.
Since his success came with an undeniable expense, the Cenation Leader spent much of his time in the WWE as the company's golden boy who was heavily criticized for his superheroic mannerisms.
While some of his in-ring work limited his potential, but Big Match John proved all the critics wrong by establishing himself as one of the greatest to ever do it.
Despite ruling the company for more than a decade, the 16-time World Champion has managed to tease the future many times on live television.
Whether it was his work with CM Punk, Edge, or A.J. Styles, there's no denying that the Face that runs the place indeed passed the torch to these independent performers on multiple occasions.
Here are the 5 incredible times John Cena teased the future of WWE on live television
#1 Losing clean to Kevin Owens at the Elimination Chamber to prove a point
There's no denying that John Cena's feud with Kevin Owens became one of the most significant rivalries of the 'New Era', with the latter decimating company's golden boy to make a solid statement.
Considering the size and structure of the former Universal Champion, many fans predicted Owens' being buried on the main roster due to WWE's ideology of pushing 'tough guys'.
However, John Cena took the feud to a completely different level and introduced a genuinely talented individual that was so efficient and unique as a WWE superstar.
The Prizefighter went on to represent NXT and ascended his brand's value by defeating John Cena on his very first match on the main roster, at the Elimination Chamber.
While the fans were expecting something sensational to happen between the two, none of them predicted K.O. pinning John Cena clean in the middle of the ring after delivering one of the most exceptional in-ring bouts.
Judging by how it all transpired, the Cenation Leader's loss established the fact that WWE definitely started acknowledging performers that were more about the talent, and less about the physical stature.
#2 Applauding Sami Zayn for his 'Never Give Up' attitude on his debut
Despite being ridiculed to such a directionless state in the WWE, Sami Zayn was once the heart and soul that established NXT as an individual entity.
With Triple H always having tremendous admiration for the Underdog, his debut on Monday Night Raw was pretty special, and it involved John Cena.
After being introduced to an outstanding ovation by Bret Hart, Zayn answered Cena's Open Challenge and brought the fight to him in the biggest possible way.
Since the bout was booked to ascend Sami Zayn's status within the company, an unfortunate shoulder injury during the match coerced the Underdog to be sidelined for a substantial time.
While that all transpired, the former NXT Champion did deliver an epic performance in front of his hometown crowd of Montreal and represented everything that John Cena stands for.
Being tipped as the most natural babyface of our generation, the Cenation Leader applauded Zayn's courage post-match and 'passed the torch' to him in the most fantastic way.
#3 Declaring Velveteen Dream as the next big thing in the WWE
John Cena has always established his role in the company as one of the most dedicated performers and an incredible locker-room leader.
While many fans have criticized him for his management ideology, the Cenation Leader has often promoted guys that the world never expected him to idolize in the first place.
Big Match John, in an appearance at MegaCon catapulted Velveteen Dream as the superstar who could definitely ascend to the top of the mountain as 'The One'.
Since Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Roman Reigns have all been tipped as the next big thing in the WWE, promoting the NXT sensation in such ranks was an insane hint by the company's golden boy.
The 16-time World Champion placed Dream as one of the greatest characters in professional wrestling today, and wants to square off with him one fine day.
Considering the incredible gesture, promoting someone on such a public platform only goes on to prove that the company's promotional agendas have changed for the better.
#4 Catapulting Cesaro as one of the most unique individuals he ever clashed against
Anyone who has ever fell in love with professional wrestling realizes how talented and versatile Cesaro really is. The Swiss Cyborg stands as one of the most gifted individuals in the WWE.
While the management never considered pushing Cesaro, it was John Cena who took the matter in his own hands and propelled the Swiss to unimaginable heights.
The 16-time World Champion faced Cesaro multiple times and was gravitating the audience to care about the former U.S. Champion.
His matches with the Swiss are one of the most exceptional bouts that happened on Monday Night Raw, with their match in Chicago being tipped as a 'classic'.
Unfortunately, Cesaro couldn't solidify his position in the WWE as a main-event threat, it was the Cenation Leader who applauded the Swiss on multiple occasions for his uniqueness.
#5 Changing the entire landscape of the WWE by losing to CM Punk in a five-star classic
While John Cena has been legitimately criticized by legions of WWE fans, a select few realize what happened that night at WWE Money in the Bank 2011.
Since CM Punk was leaving the company for good, his rivalry with John Cena became one of the most polarizing feuds in WWE history and ascended the idea of 'independent performers' taking over WWE.
Considering that wrestling was going through a transitional stage, the Cult of Personality yearned for a change in the WWE and therefore altered the entire complexion of the business for good.
With John Cena clashing with Punk on his supposed last match in the WWE, both superstars went to deliver a five-star classic that would be remembered for ages.
The Cenation Leader lost clean to the Best in the World and revolutionized professional wrestling in the process, with legions of WWE fans shocked and surprised at the company's booking.
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