John Cena Names 2 WWE MSG Moments That Stand Out The Most

John Cena has named two moments from major WWE events that mean a lot to him in New York City.

The November 17th edition of WWE Monday Night Raw is being heavily promoted as the last time John Cena will be on Raw as an active WWE superstar.

Many fans consider Madison Square Garden in New York City to be WWE’s home, as it’s the World’s Most Famous Arena, and it has a rich history of hosting major WWE events over the last 50+ years with huge names headlining shows there like Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Roman Reigns, and of course, John Cena. It’s a fitting venue for Cena’s final Raw appearance.

During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, the Intercontinental Champion Cena was asked about some of his MSG moments that stand out the most.

John Cena: “I’d pick two. I think a lot of the ones that the fans reflect on, I returned at the Royal Rumble in 2008 as a surprise. I completely tore my right pec off my body, I got it repaired by Dr. James Andrews, he’s one of the best, they gave me a great PT program, and they said I’d be gone in 8 months…and I was back in 3 (months).”

Stephen A. Smith: “Wow.”

Cena: “It was just an exercise in doing the work, man. You gotta do the work and be diligent. But it was a cool surprise because nobody thought physically I would be there and we kept it secret. Secrets are very rare in the WWE, so I think that’s a moment that a lot of fans gravitate towards.”

John Cena’s appearance at the 2008 Royal Rumble was a total surprise, as he said, and he went on to win the star-studded Rumble match, last eliminating his current WWE boss, Triple H. It was also a night where Cena got one of the loudest ovations of his Hall of Fame career.

John Cena Will Never Forget What Big Show Did For Him

For his other memorable MSG moment, John Cena recalled WrestleMania 20 in 2004 when he opened the show by beating the Big Show to win the US Title. Cena got the win after hitting an Attitude Adjustment on the 500+ pound giant.

“But I gotta tip my hat to Paul Wight, the Big Show, I had a match at WrestleMania 20 where I won the United States Championship and picked up a 550-pound man to do it, and he’s that man. Without him, I don’t exist.”

The John Cena/Big Show match at WrestleMania 20 is never going to be considered a classic match, but it was huge for Cena’s career since it was the first championship that he won as a WWE superstar.

Paul Wight works for AEW in a behind-the-scenes role.

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