John Cena Attains Grand Slam Greatness by Winning the Intercontinental Title for the First Time in His 23-Year-WWE Career

Making his third-last WWE appearance, John Cena made history in Boston by beating Dominik Mysterio to add another gem to his resume.

John Cena Attains Grand Slam Greatness by Winning the Intercontinental Title for the First Time in His 23-Year-WWE Career

John Cena as the Intercontinental Champion (via WWE)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The November 10 edition of Monday Night Raw went live from a packed TD Garden, and Boston crackled with the kind of energy that makes arenas feel alive. It became a night that would mark a first in John Cena’s 23-year career, and the spark behind it all was Dominik Mysterio.

Triple H opened the show in the center of the ring, letting the noise wash over him like waves on an old harbor wall. When he finally raised the mic, he spoke about how rare it is these days for people to agree on anything, especially in wrestling, where everyone has their own idea of greatness. 

He then explained that after decades of seeing the business from every possible angle, there was one name he believed stood above the rest. One performer who carried the company, drew crowds like gravity, spoke with fire, and never lost the joy that made him who he was. With that, the WWE CCO introduced the man he called the greatest of all time: John Cena.

Cena made the city wait a little, soaking in a hometown roar that felt like it might shake the banners in the rafters. Once in the ring, he spoke about his retirement and the question he kept getting from fans: Who would he face on his way out? What mattered most to him, he said, was leaving the company stronger for the next generation. 

That goal inspired ‘The Last Time is Now’ Tournament, where someone would earn the right to retire him. His final match on December 13 wouldn’t just close a chapter. It would be a spotlight for NXT’s rising stars to stand alongside main roster names. Then he admitted he had one personal request. He wanted to come home to Boston one last time, the place where he first felt the magic of WWE.

Before he could finish thanking the crowd, Dominik Mysterio barged onto the stage, dripping with attitude. He got in Triple H’s face, demanded answers about perceived disrespect, and declared himself the true future. The crowd hit him with chants, but Mysterio kept pushing, even trying to talk down to Cena like he was some rookie waiting for permission to speak.

Cena gave him a warning, simple and sharp: wrong night, wrong city, wrong guy. Mysterio then fired back, claiming he could beat Cena in any era. That was the matchstick on dry tinder. Triple H stepped forward, saw the moment for what it was, and made the call on the spot. Mysterio would defend the Intercontinental Championship, right then and there, against Cena.

John Cena outsmarts Dominik Mysterio in a classic outing to win the Intercontinental title

When Raw returned from commercial, the camera dropped into chaos with Dominik Mysterio already pounding John Cena in the corner. The Boston crowd thundered for Cena to rally, but Mysterio kept control until Cena pushed back with heavy rights. Sensing danger, Mysterio slipped out to the floor, buying time by resetting the count, rolling in, and bailing out again. 

Dominik Mysterio and John Cena
Dominik Mysterio and John Cena (via WWE)

He even tried to walk away from the match entirely. The 17-time World Champion chased him up the ramp, cut him off with headbutts, and hauled him back toward the ring, but Mysterio reversed the momentum and sent Cena crashing shoulder-first into the steel steps. Then, with the confidence of someone who hadn’t earned it, Mysterio climbed onto the overturned steps to flex.

He continued breaking the count just to dish out more cheap shots before sliding back inside to pose while referee Chad Patton counted. Cena barely beat the ten-count, only for Mysterio to hit the Three Amigos for a nearfall. Cena fought up, lifted Dom for the Attitude Adjustment, but Mysterio slipped free and drilled him with a DDT as the broadcast cut to another break.

When the show returned, Mysterio hit a slingshot senton atomico, but Cena got the knees up and finally ignited. A spinning Blue Thunder Driver rattled the ring. Cena waved his hand, hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle, and reached for the AA again, but Mysterio avoided it and sent him shoulder-first into the post.

Spotting his opening, Mysterio yanked a turnbuckle pad free, forcing Patton to fix it while he grabbed a steel chair. He slapped the mat and tossed the chair at Cena, dropping to the canvas in a tribute to Eddie Guerrero’s signature trick. Cena refused to take the bait, tossing the chair aside. Arguing erupted, and in the confusion, Cena grabbed Mysterio for the AA. Dom flailed wildly, knocking Patton out.

Cena locked in the STF and forced Mysterio to tap, but with no referee, it didn’t matter. Dom then grabbed the Intercontinental title belt, swung for Cena’s head, missed, and ate an AA for his trouble. Referee Eddie Orengo slid in for the cover, but Mysterio kicked out at the last moment.

Desperate, Mysterio hit a drop toehold, nailed the 619, and leapt for a frog splash. Cena rolled through, powered him up, and delivered a final, emphatic Attitude Adjustment. Cena finally pinned Mysterio, capturing the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his legendary career.

Afterward, Cena thanked Boston and declared, “The champ is here!” Backstage, Rey Mysterio shook his hand and joked that Mysterio needed that beating. Cena said he hoped Dom learned from it. Moments later, he exchanged a respectful handshake with Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, and CM Punk. 

Also Read: