Ten years ago today, Monday Night Raw saw the beginning of a phenomenon that would change the meaning of the United States Championship. At WrestleMania 31, John Cena defeated Rusev to claim the U.S. Title, paving the way for one of the most unforgettable title reigns in WWE history. John Cena was already a well-established veteran at this point, looking to inject some life into his career and elevate a mid-card title that was losing its sheen.
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To accomplish this, Cena unveiled the U.S. Title Open Challenge, which gave a title shot to any wrestler who was ready to take him on. The premise was easy yet groundbreaking—the audience would tune in every week, not knowing who was going to accept the challenge, and high-quality matches would occur from this new dynamic. The first challenge occurred on April 6, 2015, and established the groundwork for what would become an all-time run.
The First Challenge and Early Days
Cena’s first opponent was Dean Ambrose, a former Shield member with an increasing following. This match was a hard-hitting competition, highlighting the attributes of each wrestler and offering a great challenge for anyone to try to one-up. This match intrigued both fans and critics alike because it was not the typical formulaic plan for Cena’s matches. The U.S. Open Challenge was proving to be much more than a gimmick; it was presenting some of the best wrestling on WWE television.
In the weeks to come, Cena encountered a slew of opponents, all with different approaches to the ring. Challengers like Stardust, Bad News Barrett, and Kane all put Cena to the test, but it was different when he wrestled younger, hungry talent. These moments prepped him for the ultimate challenge.
The Impact and Legacy
Prior to John Cena’s tenure as champion, the United States Championship was commonly viewed as a second-tier belt. The Open Challenge shifted that expectation, restoring credibility and enthusiasm to the title. Each week, Cena was able to have pay-per-view level matches without pay-per-view pricing. It demonstrated that matches in the mid-card could evoke just as much drama as those in the main event.
The Open Challenge was significant due to its contribution to the careers of up-and-coming stars. For many of the wrestlers involved, they received the chance to display their skills against one of WWE’s top stars. A couple of examples include:
Sami Zayn’s shocking cameo in his home nation of Canada, while making his main roster debut in a memorable match.
Cesaro’s hard-fought matchups against Cena, in his own right cementing himself as one of WWE’s most criminally underrated superstars.
Neville’s death-defying method of competing, showing off his amazing athletic skill, while also putting himself on the radars of many WWE fans.
What will also be referenced with the unpredictability of the Open Challenge were quite a few other surprise appearances. It included a former heart of the NXT roster, as well as some notable independent wrestling talents. Fans never went away from their television sets, rioting with their presence each week, waiting to see what name would appear next.
Key Matches and Moments
A number of matches from Cena’s Open Challenge are still fondly remembered today:
Sami Zayn vs. John Cena (May 4th, 2015): Zayn’s emotional debut in his hometown of Montreal experienced a great reaction from the crowd; while Zayn was injured for the second half of the match, he really laid it on the line for the crowd and provided a great match.
John Cena vs Cesaro (July 6th, 2015): I believe this match lasted around 30 minutes and was remarkable, highlighted by the fans calling out “This is awesome!” at various times; match gave Cesaro even more credibility as a top wrestler.
John Cena faces Neville (May 11, 2015): An unbelievable high-flying showcasing the limitless talent of Neville.
John Cena vs. Rusev (Multiple Matches): The continuation of their rivalry throughout the challenge only added to the storyline and chaos.
John Cena’s Perspective
During the entirety of the Open Challenge, John Cena articulated his fervor for the concept. He aimed to provide something for the fans and help elevate new talent so he could give back. This was apparent in how he was willing to perform great matches every week. The Cenation leader has spoken in interviews about how the Open Challenge pushed him to change his in-ring style. He aimed to wrestle in a more technical and fast-paced style in order to keep up with younger guys.
His readiness to put his opponents over and make things unpredictable is what made him different than your traditional U.S. Champions. Cena’s Open Challenge was not merely about winning; it was about creating moments that meant something.
The End of the Challenge and It’s Aftermath
The Open Challenge came to an official end when Cena lost the United States Championship to Alberto Del Rio at Hell in a Cell 2015. After several months of great matches, the reign had come to close, but it had lasting effects. The United States Championship was made prestigious once again, and many of the wrestlers who participated went on to great success.
Even after the end of the Open Challenge, remnants of the reign were seen in future WWE storylines. Wrestlers like AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Seth Rollins later introduced some version of the challenge with the same or similar flair. This proved there indeed was some lasting power.
A Legacy That Endures
John Cena’s U.S Open Challenge is undoubtedly one of the greatest championship reigns in modern WWE history. It may have given us some of the most memorable matches, helped to elevate some of the next generation stars, and gave legitimacy back to the United States Championship. Even after a decade, wrestling fans seem to reminisce on that time as the best time ever for in-ring action on WWE television.
That challenge not only secured John Cena as being a top-level performer, but also solidified his status as a person who cared about the future of the wrestling business. Even with Cena’s full-time wrestling career slowed down, the memories of his Open Challenge continue to pave the way for fans and wrestlers alike.
Ten years down the road and we still hold on to the thrill, the unknown, and the legitimate magic of John Cena’s U.S. Title run. This is the hallmark of a true and iconic reign.
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Vijay Suyal 
Reddaveni Saisneha