Ranking John Cena's 10 Best Matches From This Era

John Cena made his debut in WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era and went on to become the face of the company during this period as well. It was the time period where Cena rose to prominence and is an era that he totally dominated.

Cena was involved in countless major feuds during this period of his career, going from a rookie to a main event star. Cena didn't just develop a great gimmick, but he also proved himself to be a fantastic in-ring worker.

Despite the fact that Cena is often criticized for his in-ring ability, he has constantly shown that he's a solid worker. Here are John Cena's 10 greatest matches from the Ruthless Aggression Era, ranked.

10 John Cena Vs Kurt Angle (SmackDown)

John Cena answers Kurt Angle's open challenge in 2002

This was the moment that many people would argue the Ruthless Aggression Era was born. Cena made his debut claiming the one quality that would allow him to defeat Kurt Angle was "Ruthless Aggression," as he proceeded to slap Angle in the face.

Cena then went on to work his first-ever match on television against none other than the Olympic Gold Medalist. Of course, this isn't his best technical match, as he's still a rookie here, but that didn't stop him from making an impact.

Angle has the ability to take anyone to a solid bout, and he certainly did just that here. It was the moment Cena let the world know he had arrived, and being able to hang with Kurt Angle on your debut is no mean feat.

9 John Cena Vs Big Show (WrestleMania XX)

Much like the previous match, this isn't technically one of John Cena's absolute best matches. However, as far as his career is concerned it is one of the most important, with this being his WrestleMania debut.

Competing against Big Show for the United States Championship, the two men really had the crowd in their hands. Everything they did meant something and they utilized Big Show's size and strength advantage excellently. Having him hoist up Show for the AA to finish things was a huge moment.

8 John Cena Vs JBL (Judgement Day 2005)

You know you're not in the PG Era here, as this is one of the bloodiest matches in WWE history. John Cena and JBL had an incredible rivalry in WWE, and this I Quit match really did solidify that.

While people might point to their WrestleMania 21 bout over this one, the fact is that the Judgement Day bout just had higher stakes. The violence really shone a light on the hate they had for each other, and it ensured this match was stronger.

Cena is one of the very best when it comes to making a stipulation count. He makes each spot mean something and always brings the fans on an emotional rollercoaster, which was something he did excellently in this one.

7 John Cena Vs Umaga (Royal Rumble 2007)

People often argue about when the Ruthless Aggression Era came to an end. But as this WWE Championship Last Man Standing match proves, it wasn't 2007. Just as before, this was another really bloody and violent bout as John Cena and Umaga went to war.

Both men stole the show at the Royal Rumble, which isn't an easy thing to do. However, they had excellent chemistry together and the fact that Umaga had really been well built as a monstrous threat helped make him a credible contender to Cena's title.

There were moments here where it really seemed like Cena would end up losing and, even though he didn't, those moments helped make this match fantastic.

6 John Cena Vs Brock Lesnar (Backlash 2003)

John Cena and Brock Lesnar have always been terrific rivals and that dates all the way back to the Ruthless Aggression Era. Cena and The Beast Incarnate were the two rising stars at the time, and them colliding at Backlash was a huge deal.

It was a sign of the future and they both went out and put on a clinic to prove that they were exactly that. While it wasn't as good as matches they would later have in the PG Era, it was still a superb match.

5 Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2005)

John Cena has competed in countless Royal Rumble matches throughout his career, but none were as dramatic as the 2005 match. Cena was one of the heavy favorites heading into this one, and the final two of him and Batista was incredible to watch.

Of course, this was made even more intense by the fact that they both went over the top rope at the exact same time. It's crazy to think that this wasn't pre-planned, but that was the case, and it created the most exciting and thrilling end to a Rumble match of all time.

4 John Cena Vs RVD (ECW One Night Stand 2006)

John Cena vs RVD (One Night Stand, 2006)

This match provides arguably the greatest atmosphere of any match in wrestling history. There wasn't a single person in the Hammerstein Ballroom that night that wanted to see John Cena leave as WWE Champion.

This night was the iconic moment where a fan actually threw Cena's shirt back into the ring at him, and the atmosphere really was special. However, it wasn't just because of the fans that this match was so good.

Their in-ring chemistry was excellent, with RVD's highflying style working well with Cena's pure power. It was a great match that was made very special by the fans.

3 John Cena Vs Triple H (WrestleMania 22)

Another of John Cena's major career-defining moments took place during this era, specifically at WrestleMania 22. Competing against Triple H for the WWE Championship at the Show of Shows, this was certainly a significant moment.

Not only was this the time where fans started to become 50/50 in support of him, but it also really established him as the main event star of WWE. Defeating Triple H on the Grandest Stage Of Them All is no small feat, after all.

Cena and Triple H put on a classic WrestleMania bout between two of the Ruthless Aggression Era's biggest stars. It was a great bout and is a real blueprint for a classic John Cena match.

2 John Cena Vs Edge (Unforgiven 2006)

John Cena sets Edge up for the Attitude Adjustment off of a ladder at Unforgiven 2006

People will often argue about who John Cena's greatest rival is, and there is a real case to be made for that man being Edge. During the Ruthless Aggression Era, these two men went to war with each other countless times and it always led to something great.

However, their 2006 Unforgiven TLC match really was a standout highlight. Edge is the master of the TLC stipulation and anytime he is in one you know the match will be special.

Put that with his amazing feud with Cena and it is a recipe for incredible success. The two men had a superb match full of great spots, including an insane bump to finish things.

1 John Cena Vs Shawn Michaels (Raw, 2007)

For those who want to complain and claim John Cena cannot wrestle, then this is the match that will prove you wrong. In a WrestleMania rematch, Cena and Shawn Michaels headlined an episode of Monday Night Raw where they wrestled for nearly an hour.

It earned tons of awards and accolades and still stands up as arguably Cena's greatest match ever, regardless of era. They went back and forth with amazing reversals and counters with plenty of near falls being fit in.

It's a great match between two of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots and is a must-see match for any wrestling fan.

NEXT: 5 Best Years Of John Cena's Career (& 5 Worst)