John Cena Announces Royal Rumble Return: Ranking His 8 Appearances from Worst to Best

John Cena is back, and the WWE Universe is buzzing with excitement. At Monday Night Raw in Inglewood, California, Cena confirmed with a smirk that he would be entering the 2025 Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 1st.

The stakes? The chance to become a No. 1 contender at WrestleMania 41.

Before signing off, Cena dropped a bombshell prediction: "I'm going to win the Royal Rumble." The crowd erupted, knowing the 16-time champion is no stranger to making bold statements and backing them up with sheer willpower. Over the years, Cena has entered the Royal Rumble match eight times, with performances ranging from forgettable to legendary. Let's break down Cena's Royal Rumble history, ranking his performances from worst to best.

8. Royal Rumble 2004: A Disastrous Debut

John Cena entered the Royal Rumble in 2004 with high hopes as the 28th entrant, but his performance was far from stellar. Teaming up with Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho to eliminate Big Show didn't work, and Cena didn't manage a single elimination before being tossed out by Big Show. It was a forgettable showing that fans would rather forget.

7. Royal Rumble 2003: The First Taste

In 2003, Cena made his Royal Rumble debut as the 18th entrant. Despite staying in the ring for almost 20 minutes, he failed to score an elimination and was ultimately thrown out by The Undertaker. While it was an underwhelming start, it marked the beginning of Cena's Rumble journey.

6. Royal Rumble 2005: A Strong, But Botched Showing

Cena entered the 2005 Rumble at number 25, eliminating Viscera, Kane, and Edge. However, a botched finish involving Batista and a resulting injury to Vince McMahon marred the event. Cena was the runner-up but fell short when Batista eliminated him. While promising, the chaotic finish overshadowed his strong showing.

5. Royal Rumble 2018: A Close Call

Cena entered the 2018 Rumble as the 20th entrant and eliminated Elias and The Hurricane. He made it to the final four alongside Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Cena eliminated Balor but was ultimately thrown out by Nakamura, who claimed victory. Cena's performance was solid, though not enough to seal the win.

4. Royal Rumble 2010: A Solid Performance Marred by Edge

In 2010, Cena entered at number 19 and quickly eliminated Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi Tatsu, Kofi Kingston, and Batista. However, Edge's surprise return spoiled Cena's chances as Edge eliminated him to win the match. Despite the loss, Cena's dominance in the match stood out.

3. Royal Rumble 2006: Cena's Best Elimination Performance

Cena entered the 2006 Rumble at number 22 and eliminated seven opponents, including Nexus members CM Punk, Heath Slater, and Tyson Kidd. Despite his impressive eliminations, he was thrown out by The Miz, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

2. Royal Rumble 2008: The Return of a Champion

After an injury hiatus, Cena shocked the WWE Universe by returning as the 30th entrant in 2008. In under ten minutes, he eliminated Carlito, Chavo Guerrero, and Mark Henry. He ultimately faced Triple H in a thrilling showdown and eliminated him to secure victory, becoming the first to win from the 30th spot.

1. Royal Rumble 2013: A Victory for the Ages

In 2013, Cena delivered his greatest Rumble performance, entering at number 19 and eliminating Heath Slater, Cody Rhodes, Cesaro, and Ryback. In the final moments, Cena overcame a dominant Ryback to claim his second Royal Rumble victory. This hard-fought win remains a testament to Cena's determination and grit.

As Cena prepares for his final Royal Rumble appearance in 2025, fans can only imagine what this next chapter in his legacy will hold. While another title win may be uncertain, Cena's impact on the Royal Rumble is undeniable.