Let’s Talk About the Underrated John Cena vs. Umaga Rivalry

Hey everyone,

I’ve been rewatching some classic WWE feuds, and one that really stood out to me—but doesn’t get enough love—is the John Cena vs. Umaga rivalry from late 2006 to early 2007.

This feud was peak storytelling. You had Cena, the resilient champion, facing an undefeated monster in Umaga. The dynamic between them was incredible: Cena’s never-say-die attitude clashing with Umaga’s unstoppable, destructive force. It felt like Cena was facing an unbeatable wall, and the stakes always felt high.

The rivalry culminated in their Last Man Standing match at the 2007 Royal Rumble, which, in my opinion, is one of Cena’s best matches ever. The match was brutal, innovative, and told an amazing story of survival versus dominance. The way Cena used the ring rope to choke Umaga out was a perfect finish that added to the match's drama.

Despite all this, the rivalry often gets overshadowed by Cena’s feuds with other big names like Edge, Randy Orton, or The Rock. Umaga's role as a monster heel was so well-executed, and this feud solidified him as a legitimate main-eventer, but it feels like his contributions to this storyline aren’t celebrated enough.

What do you all think? Does the Cena vs. Umaga feud deserve more recognition? Were you a fan of their matches and storytelling? Let’s discuss!