It might seem odd that a powerhouse athlete like John Cena would have a submission move in his arsenal, but the STF has given him some range. It also offers an alternative ending to Cena’s matches, especially if his opponent is larger than him.
But there’s no disputing that the Attitude Adjustment can be an impressive maneuver, especially when it’s delivered to some of the heavier superstars on the roster. Over his remarkable career, Cena has finished many competitors with one of these two moves, with some of these conquests being considered his most significant victories.
10 STF: Batista (WrestleMania XXVI)
Batista walked into WrestleMania XXVI the champion after defeating Cena at Elimination Chamber 2010. It was a battle where neither competitor was able to get the upper hand. When Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, The Animal countered with a DDT.
When Batista attempted to suplex John off the top rope, Cena reversed it into a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Batista then changed strategies and focused on Cena’s surgically repaired neck. As he set him up for the Batista Bomb, John countered into the STF and won the title for the ninth time.
9 AA: Batista (Over The Limit 2010)
No one usually gives up before receiving the Attitude Adjustment, but that’s what happened at Over The Limit 2010. Batista and Cena met once again for the WWE Championship, but this time it was in an I Quit match. Cena did attempt to win the bout with the STF, but The Animal ended up passing out.
As he didn’t say the words “I Quit,” Batista had to be revived, and the match was restarted. To win the contest, Cena delivered multiple Attitude Adjustments to Batista. When John set up another AA off the top of a car, Batista uttered the words “I Quit.”
8 STF: Chris Jericho (Armageddon 2008)
Y2J had lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Cena, and their rematch took place at Armageddon. Cena immediately went on the offense and attempted to take control of Jericho immediately. Chris, the veteran, was more methodical and was able to come back and focus on Cena’s repaired neck in preparation for the Walls of Jericho.
When Chris locked in the submission, Cena was able to reverse it into the STF and force his opponent to tap out.
7 AA: CM Punk (RAW February 25, 2013)
In their last match together in WWE, Cena and Punk put on a PPV caliber matchup on RAW. The bout was to determine who would face The Rock at WrestleMania 29 for the WWE Championship.
The two of them threw every single maneuver they had in their arsenal at each other, including a pile driver and hurricanrana. The last card Cena had to play was the Attitude Adjustment, and it was enough to finish Punk and go to the main event of WrestleMania.
6 STF: Randy Orton (Bragging Rights 2009)
Cena and Orton were heated rivals during the 2000s. At Bragging Rights, it would be their fourth confrontation for the WWE Championship, and they would do battle in a 60 Minute Iron Man Match where anything goes.
Cena picked up the first fall almost immediately with the STF, which put Orton on the backfoot. They both went back and forth and managed to secure five pinfalls each. Eventually, Orton went to a dark place and attempted the punt kick but missed. Cena used this opportunity to lock in the STF, which forced Orton to tap out and gave Cena the WWE Championship.
5 AA: The Rock (WrestleMania 29)
After their once in a lifetime match, Cena faced The Rock at WrestleMania 29 for the WWE Championship. John had a lot to prove after a disappointing year full of defeats. Their second bout went back and forth with neither wrestler able to get the upper hand.
As the pace began to pick up, both Rock and Cena went for their signature moves, but both found ways to counter. It would be Cena that would be able to land the Attitude Adjustment and end The Great One’s reign as champion.
4 STF: Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 23)
The main event at WrestleMania 23 saw the tag team champions go one on one against each other for the WWE Championship. Both Shawn Michaels and John Cena were familiar with closing the show, and they ended this Mania with one of the best matches of the night. Michaels pulled out all the stops to try and regain the WWE Championship, but Cena had an answer for everything.
Both men kicked out of each other’s finishing maneuvers, which forced Cena to turn to his submission move to defeat The Heartbreak Kid.
3 AA: Triple H (Greatest Royal Rumble)
At the first-ever WWE event in Saudi Arabia, two legends of the ring met to do battle one last time. Both men attempted to swing the momentum in their favor by pulling out their vintage maneuvers, however as they’d both met so many times before, they had a counter to each of them.
Cena and Hunter both mocked each other’s mannerisms before John was able to land the Attitude Adjustment. However, one was not enough to put Triple H away. John would need to go to the top rope and deliver another AA to defeat The Game.
2 STF: Mark Henry (Money In The Bank 2013)
One of Cena’s biggest threats to his WWE Championship was The World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry. The former Olympic Strongman showcased his power as soon as the bell rang by rag-dolling Cena outside of the ring.
Cena managed to hoist the big man on his shoulders and land the Attitude Adjustment but only managed to get a two-count. When Henry went for a second attempt at the World Strongest Slam, Cena countered by applying the STF and managing to make the inductor of the Hall Of Pain tap out.
1 AA: Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules 2012)
After dominating the UFC, Brock Lesnar returned to the squared circle and planned on making an example of John Cena. The Beast took the lead early by busting open Cena’s forehead and throwing stiff punches and knee strikes. Medics were called in twice to patch Cena up while Lesnar paced frothing to finish the match.
The breaks would allow Cena to summon the strength for a comeback. After punching Lesnar in the head with a chain, Cena delivered the Attitude Adjustment onto some steel steps to conquer The Beast.
