John Cena is one of the most recognisable and decorated names in WWE. Along with 16 World Championship reigns, Cena has won the iconic January match twice in 8 appearances. 

With a win/loss record of 10 to 5 at WrestleMania, Cena has the third highest record at the event, only beaten by Triple H and The Undertaker. However, Cena’s appearances in the Royal Rumble have been more mixed.

John Cena has competed in 8 Royal Rumble matches

2003

Cena would make his Rumble debut in 2003, entering as the 18th entrant and rapping his way to the ring. The WWE legend would be eliminated by future WrestleMania opponent The Undertaker after surviving for 20 minutes.

2004

2004 is one of Cena’s most forgettable performances. Entering at number 28, Cena would go on to attempt to eliminate The Big Show with the remaining entrants. The World’s largest athlete would overpower the superstars, eventually throwing the Dr. of Thuganomics over the top rope. 

2005

In what is one of the most memorable and controversial Rumble matches, Cena would make it to the final 2, facing off against Batista. In what was an unplanned spot, both Hollywood stars would hit the ground at the exact same time, leaving both men and the ringside officials confused. An irate Vince McMahon would storm to the ring, tearing both quads upon entry, and demanded the match to be restarted with Cena and Batista. Drax would eliminate The Peacemaker to win the match.

2008

Cena did not compete at the 2006 and 2007 Royal Rumble events, instead defending the WWE Championship against Edge and Umaga respectively. Due to an injury sustained in October 2007, Cena would be forced to relinquish the WWE title and be out of action for around 6 months. Returning well ahead of schedule, John Cena would shockingly enter the match at number 30 to a massive pop from the crowd inside Madison Square Garden. Coming down to Triple H and John Cena, the leader of the Cenation dumped The Game over the top rope to win the match for the first time.

2010

Cena would take another year off from the Royal Rumble, defending the World Heavyweight Championship at the 2009 event against JBL. In 2010, the 16 time World Champion entered 19th, making it to the final 4 with Edge, Batista and Shawn Michaels. The Rated R Superstar would last eliminate Cena to win the match.

2011

The 40 man 2011 Royal Rumble saw Cena targeted by the Nexus. Making a guarantee to eliminate the members of the faction, Cena set a personal best in terms of elimination. Entering at number 22, the Hollywood star would throw CM Punk, Mason Ryan, Heath Slater, David Otunga, Tyson Kidd and Michael McGillicutty. This would also be the Rumble where Alex Riley was prematurely eliminated, causing confusion inside of the ring. The Miz, who was WWE Champion at the time, would sneak into the ring to eliminate Cena. The match was won by Alberto Del Rio.

2013

5 years on from the first Royal Rumble victory, Cena would join the illustrious list that have won the match more than once. Entering the match 19th, Cena would last face off against Ryback to earn the second Rumble victory. A powerslam attempt was countered to eliminate the big guy and give the victory to Cena. John Cena would go on to WrestleMania 29, defeating The Rock to become the new WWE Champion. 

2018

The 2018 Royal Rumble event is currently the most recent entry into the Battle Royale for John Cena. Hoping to headline WrestleMania 34, Cena would enter 20th, immediately ganged upon by the superstars in the ring. Reaching the final 3, Cena would be eliminated by winner Shinsuke Nakamura.  

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