John Cena def. Cody Rhodes and named his World Title challenge at WrestleMania 29; The Shield attacked
Two of the 2013 Royal Rumble Match’s most fierce competitors squared off one-on-one in Las Vegas, but fate was not on Cody Rhodes’ side just one night after turning in a strong performance in the January free-for-all. No, chance instead favored John Cena, who continued his 2013 winning streak with a victory over “The Essence of Mustachioed Magnificence” (who attempted to leave after declaring the match a “waste of Cody Rhodes”) before taking the microphone and rocking the WWE Universe with the announcement of his World Championship opportunity at WrestleMania 29. After one night of deliberation, John Cena declared he would challenge for the WWE Championship.
But before Cena could address his potential opponents — The Rock or CM Punk — The Shield swarmed the Cenation leader and administered a ferocious beatdown on the Royal Rumble winner that not even aid from Sheamus or Ryback could stem. Having beaten back Cena’s would-be protectors, The Shield punctuated their assault as they always do: with a triple powerbomb that left Cena staring at the lights. We would imagine he saw his evening unfolding slightly differently, but hey, that’s Vegas for you.
PHOENIX — On New Year’s Eve, John Cena made a promise to himself and to the WWE Universe: After a disastrous 2012, the Cenation leader vowed to turn things around and make 2013 his year. Tonight, the 10-time WWE Champion took a big step in that direction, outlasting 29 other Superstars to win the Royal Rumble Match and earn a World Title opportunity against the champion of his choosing at WrestleMania 29 on April 7.
It was only fitting, perhaps, that the road to Cena’s big win began with the very Superstar to whom the Cenation leader made his now-prescient New Year’s toast, as Dolph Ziggler chose to enter the over-the-top-rope challenge at No. 1. But it was the emergence of the No. 2 entrant just 90 seconds later that sent the WWE Universe in Phoenix into a frenzy. When the familiar strands of “Break the Walls Down” blared and the lights went out, Chris Jericho made his shocking return to WWE.
With the crowd still on its feet and the entire mood of the night suddenly and irrevocably altered, the two Superstars circled each other inside the ring, and a rivalry that came to a head at SummerSlam was quickly renewed.
Jericho and Ziggler furiously traded blows until the ring filled up with other entering Superstars. As Ziggler, Jericho, Cody Rhodes and Kofi Kingston battled it out, Santino Marella made his way to the ring and looked for a moment to have eliminated everyone else in the ring. But all of the rumblers landed on the apron, not the floor. Despite striking Kofi with The Cobra, Santino would be the first elimination of the night, tossed over the ropes by Rhodes.
When the ring inevitably filled with competitors, Ziggler and Jericho fought as the match dictated, battling whomever stood in their way. Still, they both seemingly drifted back towards one another, always looking to settle their long-standing score.
Like Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio before him, “The Showoff” may have drawn an unlucky number, but with an abundance of talent on his side, Ziggler looked to make the best of a badly dealt hand, despite the fact that he seemingly found himself teetering on the ring apron constantly over the course of the melee.
One of the time-honored traditions that makes the Royal Rumble Match so unique is the guessing game that takes place in living rooms of WWE Universe members all over the world — which past Superstars will make their one-night return to enter the melee?
This year was certainly no different, as a number of beloved Superstars arrived back on the scene.
With his brother Cody still in the ring, Goldust made his return to WWE and made a beeline for his younger sibling. Cody would eventually eliminate Goldust, but the most bizarre Superstar in WWE history did the Rhodes family proud, quickly winning over the crowd. Some returns aren’t as successful, however, as The Godfather arrived to the Royal Rumble Match, just to be dumped out of the ring by Dolph Ziggler in mere seconds.
Entering at No. 11, Sheamus came into the bout like a man on fire, laying waste to the bevy of Superstars gathered in the ring, and tossing both Titus O’Neil and David Otunga over the ropes in quick succession. A year after winning the 2012 Royal Rumble Match en route to one of the greatest years in WWE history, The Celtic Warrior looked to have history repeat itself.
Rey Mysterio also made his return, arriving in the 14-spot and going right to work, using his trademark acrobatic attack to his advantage. And speaking of acrobatic, when Kofi Kingston was tossed over the ropes by The Showoff, he literally landed on the back of Tensai at ringside, his feet never touching the ground.
Then, with “The Wildcat” perched on the Spanish announce table, the high-flying Superstar asked for JBL’s chair, then proceeded to use it like a pogo stick, hopping his way back to the ring apron, and eliminating Darren Young, all in one fell swoop. Kofi’s Royal Rumble Match came to an end moments later, though, courtesy of a Disaster Kick delivered by Cody Rhodes. (THE WWE UNIVERSE REACTS)
Entering at No. 16, Bo Dallas — winner of the NXT eight-man tournament held during the Royal Rumble Fan Fest — made a good showing, turning heads by eliminating Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and going a long way in making a name for himself in WWE.
But as would soon become clear, the number to remember on this night would be 19.
When John Cena won the 2008 Royal Rumble Match, he did so after entering the fray at No. 30. Cena wouldn’t have such a luxury tonight, however, as the Cenation leader came in at No. 19, and faced a long, difficult road ahead of him. But he wasted no time tonight, immediately going to work eliminating Heath Slater and Cody Rhodes in impressive fashion.
Soon after, Daniel Bryan arrived with a flurry of kicks that brought the competition to its knees. Even so, the ring remained stacked with Superstars when Bryan’s tag team partner, Kane, entered the battle minutes later. They may have proven to be a cohesive unit in their title defense, but when it came time to compete in the over-the-top challenge, Team Hell No was anything but.
After Kane eliminated The Great Khali, Bryan dumped Kane over the ropes, shocking The Big Red Monster. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro then knocked Bryan out of the ring, and directly into Kane’s arms. The choice then became a simple matter of yes or no. Yes, Kane could toss his partner back into the ring, or no, The Big Red Monster could dump Bryan onto the ringside floor. Kane chose no, and Bryan was eliminated.
Randy Orton, entering at 26, made his presence felt right away, once again proving why he is WWE’s Apex Predator. Soon after, the Royal Rumble Match card was finalized when the monstrous Ryback arrived and cleaned house, eliminating Damien Sandow, the newly returned Sin Cara and The Miz before Jericho hit the Codebreaker and put an abrupt halt to Ryback’s destruction.
Usually, the focus of any Royal Rumble Match centers around the final four competitors left inside the ring. But on this night, when the herd was thinned out, there were six Superstars in the spotlight. John Cena found himself surrounded by a bevy of all-star talent, as Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Randy Orton and Ryback all remained. The action reached a fever pitch, though, as the epic battle sprinted toward its conclusion.
Dolph Ziggler finally eliminated his nemesis Jericho and The Showoff approached the 50-minute mark. Orton then hit a flurry of RKOs before planting Ryback with devastating DDT. With Orton the only man still standing, The Viper looked to strike, but Ryback turned the tables and tossed Orton to the floor. A Brogue Kick to Ziggler on the apron finally sent The Showoff crashing to the floor and out of the Royal Rumble Match, leaving Cena, Sheamus and the still-fresh Ryback.
As the titanic trio stared each other down, Cena and Sheamus ganged up on Ryback before unloading on each other. But when Ryback popped back up, a ring-shaking clothesline put Cena flat on his back. Sheamus was able to halt Ryback’s forward progress, drilling the beastly Superstar with White Noise.
With both Cena and Ryback down, Sheamus called for the Brogue Kick, but Ryback caught The Celtic Warrior in the corner and heaved him over the top rope and to the floor.
And so the 2013 Royal Rumble Match came down to John Cena and Ryback.
With a trip to WrestleMania 29 and a chance at a World Title at stake, Cena and Ryback engaged in a brutal back and forth that left US Airways Arena breathless. Cena locked Ryback in the STF in an attempt to wear down his monstrous opponent, and it worked, as Ryback went limp on the canvas. Ryback didn’t stay down for long, though, and he quickly made an attempt to take back control of the match.
Cena found a way to turn the tables again, sliding out of Ryback’s clutches and forcing the scary-strong Superstar over the ropes and to the floor, leaving the Cenation leader alone inside the ring, overcoming 29 others in a truly unforgettable bout.
On a night that saw The Rock claim the WWE Championship and Alberto Del Rio retain his World Title, Cena’s monumental victory is the second such of his storied career, and more importantly, it has earned him a chance to challenge for the title of his choosing on The Grandest Stage of Them All. So will a New Year’s Eve prophecy be fulfilled? Will 2013 be the year of John Cena?
That remains to be seen, but one thing is crystal-clear: On The Road to WrestleMania, John Cena is in the driver’s seat.
"How John Cena will spend the weekend leading up to Royal Rumble 2013 is unclear at this time. But the Cenation leader made one weekend prediction on Raw by guaranteeing a victory in the Royal Rumble Match. Can Cena back up his big words and become just the fourth Superstar to win the over-the-top-rope classic more than once?"
WWE is no stranger to Phoenix, but the Royal Rumble has never been held in the Valley until now. The winner gets a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania; followers get to see their heroes in person and participate in a fan fest that leads up to the big event.
John Cena, a straight-talking WWE star, actor and sometime rapper, called to plug the event.
Question: Does your training intensify with an event like this?
Answer: No, because we have so many events every year. It’s kind of standard fare to us, but the Royal Rumble is special because it signifies the road to WrestleMania.
Q: So this really is a big deal for you guys?
A: Absolutely. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. Winning the Royal Rumble is as big an accomplishment as anything.
Q: Are these kind of events fun for you?
A: Believe it or not, I like the Rumble. It’s extremely unpredictable and over-the-top. Everyone in the WWE universe looks forward to it. It becomes that one event each year where people center around.
Q: Who are you rooting for?
A: I’m torn. CM Punk has been the champion for quite a long time now, but I know from my past instances with Dwayne Johnson that he’s very difficult to beat.
Q: Your in-the-ring relationship with Dwayne Johnson isn’t always smooth. Do those kind of grudges carry over out of the ring?
A: A lot more than people would think. People think it’s one big happy family, but attitude and egos do get in the way.
Q: How do you stay grounded?
A: I like to think I’ve done my best. You are pulled in a bunch of different directions, but I never rest on my accomplishments.
Q: Speaking of different directions, you’ve done some music and acting. Is there more in your future?
A: If those opportunities arise, I think I would try to handle them one at a time. My home is at the WWE. I truly do love performing. The atmosphere here isn’t like anything else. It’s truly where I belong.
Q: You’re known as a very charitable guy. You were honored last year for fulfilling 300 wishes from Make-A-Wish children, which set a record.
A: WWE has a very strong affiliation with Make-A-Wish, and we can provide a great experience. It’s extremely flattering that for one wish a family would like to hang out with you. There’s nothing more flattering than that.
Q: Do you ever get choked up?
A: No, I have a lot of fun with the charity. The only time I ever get choked is when I’m at Make-A-Wish headquarters, because you’re talking and working with people who share the same ideals.
Q: Make-A-Wish is based in Phoenix, and WWE always seems to do well here.
A: I really want to thank the whole Phoenix-Scottsdale-Glendale area. It’s been a wonderful home for WWE for years. It’s only fitting that the official kickoff (on the road to WrestleMania) starts in Phoenix. It’s pretty much a fan fest.
WWE Monday Night RAW Results: 1/21/2013 in SAN JOSE, Calif.
John Cena brawled with the Royal Rumble Match competitors
John Cena has vowed 2013 will belong to him. And the road to dominance in the new year begins this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, when one Superstar in 30 will persevere and earn a World Title opportunity at WrestleMania. A former winner in his own right, Cena knows this, and when he took to the ring at the close of Raw, his message was simple (although he got to it in a typically creative way). “I am going to win the Royal Rumble Match!” Cena roared. Unfortunately, that sentiment was far from unique among the WWE locker room, and Cena soon found himself surrounded by an array of Superstars with similar aspirations of victory. Sheamus, The Prime Time Players, Randy Orton, The Miz, Team Hell No, Antonio Cesaro and 3MB had all surrounded the Cenation leader and proclaimed themselves as the future Rumble Match winners. Heath Slater didn’t even get a chance to finish his sentence, though, before the entire locker room emptied. An all-out frenzy soon erupted both among friends and foes, as a mass of humanity took the WWE Universe to black as Raw's road to the Royal Rumble wound down to its tumultuous end.
The Cenation leader moves up a spot on the Power Rankings after a huge victory over Mr. Money in the Bank, Dolph Ziggler, on the 20th anniversary of Raw. Cena’s brutal steel cage victory defied the odds, as, in addition to The Showoff himself, both AJ Lee and Big E Langston had their sights set on adding a mark to Cena’s loss column.
WWE Monday Night RAW Results: 1/14/2013 in Houston, TX
John Cena def. Dolph Ziggler
Chalk up another win for John Cena, who continues to get the best of Dolph Ziggler and his entourage in the long-running rivalry that has consumed Cena and The Showoff over these past several months. The duo’s latest confrontation found them encased inside a steel cage on Raw’s 20th anniversary, where despite The Showoff’s best efforts — and the interference of Big E Langston — Cena achieved victory yet again.
Ziggler didn’t initially look too interested in a straight up fight, as he made several early escape attempts in the contest and paid dearly for them when Cena took control. It didn’t last long for the 10-time WWE Champion, though, as Ziggler quickly changed his tune and let loose with a lightning-fast flurry of offense that left his muscle-bound foe struggling to regain momentum. It took a while, but Cena eventually did turn the tide against Mr. Money in the Bank and nearly escaped the cage, but Big E Langston stopped the Cenation leader from dropping to the ground and kept Dolph in the hunt as a result.
The bout reached a fever pitch when a hysterical AJ Lee attempted to interfere, scaling the cage after a top-rope leaping DDT from Ziggler was not enough to notch the pinfall. With the referees distracted, Big E stormed the cage and mixed it up with Cena. Ziggler attempted to capitalize by swinging the Money in the Bank briefcase, but Cena ducked and Big E took the full force of the strike. Cena followed up quickly, catapulting Dolph into the air with an enormous Attitude Adjustment and scoring the pin in the process.
"John Cena may still be mired in a heated rivalry with Dolph Ziggler these days, but the Cenation leader won the latest battle against The Showoff on Raw in impressive fashion. Cena took the fight to Ziggler like never before, and displayed a fighting spirit that definitely helped him come away with a big victory."
WWE Monday Night RAW Results: 1/7/2013 in Tampa, FL
John Cena challenged Dolph Ziggler to a match
One week later, and it looks like Dolph Ziggler’s still stewing over the suspect slop that was dumped on him from above on New Year’s Eve, bringing his 2012 to a messy end and humiliating The Showoff just days after his biggest victory over John Cena to date.
Still, Mr. Money in the Bank wasn’t quite so riled up that he was willing to buy into Cena’s continued jabs, standing firm in the face of the Cenation leader’s opening address when Raw descended upon the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. While Cena rained insults down upon The Showoff, Ziggler stuck to his guns and tossed a few barbs of his own in the direction of the 10-time WWE Champion, ultimately declaring for the Royal Rumble and promising to do whatever it took to keep Cena from winning. When it came time to answer Cena’s challenge for a one-on-one bout in Tampa, though, The Showoff drew the line and turned the Cenation leader down outright.
Somewhat unfortunately for Dolph, though, Big E Langston took that exact opportunity to break his silence and accept Cena’s challenge on behalf of his boss.
We’ve got to hand it to the big guy: He’s a man of few words, but he sure does make them count.
John Cena def. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler’s sour mood looks like it’s going to extend into 2013 after The Showoff fell short in his attempt to avenge the embarrassment he suffered at John Cena’s hands in a No Holds Barred Match. Ziggler stormed into the contest early, looking for some payback against the Cenation leader for dousing him with doo-doo on New Year’s Eve. But Cena stood firm in the face of The Showoff’s speedy onslaught and eventually claimed revenge of his own after AJ Lee’s interference forced the referee to expel her and Big E Langston from ringside. With The Showoff isolated, Cena surged forth and swung the momentum back his way, kicking out of nearly every move in Ziggler’s arsenal. Cena seemed on the verge of finally paying The Showoff back for his ill-gotten victory at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.
An unfortunate incident nearly derailed the contest for Cena, though, after he inadvertently knocked out the referee by tossing Ziggler into him while powering out of the sleeper hold. With the official incapacitated, Langston stormed the ring and dropped Cena once again. But the attack by Ziggler’s monstrous lieutenant wasn't enough to keep Cena down. The Cenation leader ultimately powered out at the count of two when a replacement ref arrived, unleashing a final Attitude Adjustment on Mr. Money in the Bank to bring Raw's first match of 2013 to its close.
source: wwe.com
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John Cena returns on "FRUITY PEBBLES" cereal boxes!
John Cena is replacing Fred Flintstone on 4 million boxes of Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles as WWE continues their sponsorship of the cereal. Unlike the 3 million boxes of Fruity Pebbles that Cena was on last year, where he appeared alongside Flintstone, he’ll be prominently featured front and center.
“We’ve just been talking with kids. They wanted more variety,” said Sharon Pupel, a Post marketing director. “Fred isn’t necessarily the … coolest or [most] relevant guy for kids who we are going after.”
John Cena, though, apparently is. The WWE first entered into a deal with Post last year after Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson began teasing Mr. Cena for his brightly colored ring-gear, saying he looked like a "big, fat bowl of Fruity Pebbles." WWE executives say the plot twist was not an overt attempt to lure a new sponsor. But the WWE reached out to Post after it caught on with fans, who began chanting "Fruity Pebbles" in arenas.
Other WWE/Post promotions are planned, including a sweepstakes, as well as Cena likely returning later in the year for back-to-school boxes.
source: wrestlingnewsworld.com
credit: @Rachel_Struck1
John Cena tweeted this on 1/5/2013 on his twitter:
It was a good week to be John Cena. The Cenation leader moves up a spot after picking up a tag team win against Team Rhodes Scholars and then memorably crashing Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee’s New Year’s toast Monday night on Raw
WASHINGTON — On the last night of a long, wild 2012, it’s only fitting New Year’s Eve on Monday Night Raw kicked off with something … AWESOME. And the host with the most (and lest we forget, a WWE Universe–deemed “nice guy”), The Miz, certainly started the evening in high style with a blockbuster announcement from Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero: It would be a “Champion’s Choice” night, in which all reigning champions would defend their titles against an opponent of their choosing.
Miz’s guest wasn’t lacking in the “must-see” department, either, as The Awesome One summoned none other than John Cena to his couch for a powwow in our nation’s capitol. The Cenation leader was free to address the recent goings-on between himself, AJ Lee, Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston, but no sooner had Cena given an RSVP to Dolph and AJ’s planned “New Year’s Toast” (yes, he’s going) than Team Rhodes Scholars crashed the party. Neither the host nor the guest had much appreciation for the interruption, though, and after a few moments of jaw-jacking, a match was made. The WrestleMania XXVII opponents would unite in a tag team contest against the immaculately groomed goons of Team Rhodes Scholars.
John Cena & The Miz def. Team Rhodes Scholars
It wasn’t exactly a happy New Year’s Eve for Team Rhodes Scholars, who concluded their 2012 in disappointing fashion when John Cena & The Miz brought their braggadocio to a screeching halt in Washington. Despite the pedigree of their opponents, however, the Scholars didn’t let Cena & Miz waltz away with a victory in 2012’s waning hours. Sandow and Rhodes put up a stiff resistance against the WrestleMania XXVII headliners, as the brainy tandem attempted to isolate Miz and keep Cena out of the equation. But the strategy fell short after Miz withstood the brainiacs’ barrage and tagged Cena into the contest after stopping Rhodes’ momentum. The 10-time WWE Champion went to work in high style, shaking off a Disaster Kick from Rhodes and dropping Sandow like the New Year’s ball with an Attitude Adjustment to earn the victory for himself and his mismatched mate.
John Cena crashed Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee’s New Year’s toast
We will say this much: New Year’s shindigs are certainly more interesting when John Cena is invited. The guest of honor for Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee’s New Year’s toast didn’t sit idly by after The Showoff and his skip-happy gal pal cued up a slideshow of Cena’s less-than-best moments this year (losses to The Rock and John Laurinaitis among them). He didn’t even stay put when Ziggler un-invited him from the proceedings. Instead, Cena crashed the party in high style, offering some quips of his own before turning to more serious matters. The Cenation leader gamely acknowledged his shortcomings in the previous 12 months, but resolved to reclaim his rightful place atop the WWE mountaintop, throwing his name into the 2013 Royal Rumble Match as the first step to that goal. Regardless of whomever he had to beat, Cena promised he would be a champion once again.
So with that said, Cena raised a glass of his own and offered a salutation of his own: To the happy couple, Cena proposed “a prosperous 2013 to Dolph and AJ with the one thing that you are full of …”
And with one final gesture from Cena, a smelly mess rained down from the rafters, showering the couple and leaving them to stew (literally) in the final moments of 2012. Happy New Year, WWE Universe. May it be free of People Power, scandals of any nature, broken arms, men in riot gear, Harold, rogue refs, attackers in blond wigs, untimely knee injuries, gigantic chairs and, of course, slop raining from the skies.