Smells Like Team Spirit

John Cena VS Dolph Ziggler - WWE Steel Cage Match 1/14/2013

JJZ: Let's bookend this son of a bitch CJD! After the ladder match with Dolph had some sneaky interference, John Cena finds a way to eliminate the distractions so he can get his revenge on Ziggler in a STEEL CAGE MATCH! This was the blow off to the Cena/Ziggler feud as a RAW main event. I think using a cage as a tool to keep AJ and Big E out of the ring and not as a weapon to punish Dolph was a good way to not expect the blood and guts that a steel cage match usually comes with. Great story telling in the ring. Loved the falsies. Big E looked like such a monster at this time. I loved that what won Ziggy the match at TLC played into the finish of this match for a satisfying conclusion. Enjoy homie.

CJD: I was so close to watching this match instead of my ladder match, and I was already in the mood for more Cena, so you made my freezing cold day with this pick John! I love the rare instances we hold up our imaginary title for the week and feature a rematch. And I love really well done TV main event wrestling. And this was both of those things! I didn't love the angle that brought AJ and Ziggler together, but this trio together were one of my favorite things about this era of WWE. They had such a fun dynamic, and similarly I am a total sucker for Cena and Dolph as opponents. These two matches were a treat, and I'm tempted to go back to Big Match John yet again, but I think I think I'll take a break from the WWE machine and dig into some Nic Nemeth instead.

I Spent Twenty Plus Years Seeking Knowledge Of Self

John Cena VS Dolph Ziggler - WWE Money In The Bank Briefcase Ladder Match 12/16/2012

CJD: I'm so so curious if you've seen this match before. I'm half expecting you to tell me we've watched it together, or that you've at least seen it with the gang. But on the off chance you haven't, this was my favorite of a couple of different options I considered for Cena. Big Match John was always so good at slaying monsters, but I love when he wrestles like a bit of a monster himself against more athletic opponents. This is my favorite era of Dolph's career, even though the angles surrounding this match don't add much for me. What these two guys did with this ladder match though does a hell of a lot for me! This was physical, dramatic, and made great use of every minute it got. It's amazing how varied Cena's career was when you dig into it. I'm really glad you steered us this way to sync up with his recent retirement.

JJZ: Babycakes! Yes I have seen this match. Not gonna lie, I only remembered two things. The finish and Cena getting busted around the eye. So this was pretty much getting to see it with fresh eyes. Dolph has always been someone I liked. I always dug his wild selling and body flailing offense. Cena and Ziggler used the ladder very economically which was a nice change of pace since most ladder matches do everything and anything with the ladder. Shout out to my favorite ladder match which also had Dolph in it. Him vs Luke Harper. You said this was dramatic and that is the best way to sum this match up, obviously this feud wasn't over after this match. Would love to watch more. I know Dolph was the heel but he always worked from under which gives you a different version of John Cena to watch. Great stuff.

I Am Alive And Not A Second To Waste

John Cena VS AJ Styles - WWE 10/11/2025

JJZ: You know I've been on a huge John Cena kick with his recent retirement. So when I saw you Played Forward a Styles match to me I couldn't wait to play back to you what is my 2025 match of the year. A lot of people have different opinions about Cena's retirement tour and mine is that I liked it. It wasn't perfect but I very much doubt anyone can hit all homeruns for a year straight. I loved John and AJ's feud on a whole. All of their matches were great and we've watched a few of them together. I think Styles really brought out a better wrestler in Cena. First off here, the fucking crowd. Dude, incredible. The fans really showed up and out for Cena the entire year. No one knew that Cena was gonna give the ring announcer a special introduction for AJ. Not even her. In an interview I listened to Cena said he did it because he just wanted to do something nice for his guy. I loved how simple yet sweet that was. The match itself is a love letter to Cena's biggest WWE rivals and Styles' TNA rivals. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

CJD: I enjoyed this match. I think it's safe to say you enjoyed it more than me. But as I was saying to you on the phone, this is just a little more up your alley than mine. And it's great that wrestling can be different things for different people in that way. Especially this kind of match with all its pomp and circumstance, the unique crowd, an all time career coming to an end, the final chapter of a great feud. Or maybe more of an epilogue. The intros and first 10 minutes gave me chills. The love letter to their greatest rivals, for me, was a bit too tongue in cheek. I can't argue with the reaction it got, and the commentators did a fantastic job with a tough hand dealt to them balancing between a tribute routine and a great match. I will say that it was a bit like a joke that you don't think is funny, but then gets dragged on for such a ridiculous amount of time, you can't help but laugh. I was in on the joke too by the end, whether I wanted to be or not. This was a feel good match that did so much right, that I'll gladly say "different strokes for different folks" for the stuff I didn't love. I'm always game to Beat Up John Cena one more time, and I'm happy you got me to sit down to this one. Oh and this was a fun crossover choice for the episode of PLUR1BUS I just watched! Not going to spoil more than I already have with that!