John Cena first tasted world title glory at Wrestlemania 21 when he defeated JBL, but it was two years later that he became the man after beating Shawn Michaels.
That’s the verdict of Bruce Prichard, the former Brother Love characters and powerful backstage figure, who recently recalled the main event of WrestleMania 23 between Cena and HBK.
Headlining a stacked show that also included ‘The Battle of the Billionaires’ contest that saw Vince McMahon eventually get his head shaved, Cena and Michaels went ahead with a huge audience watching.
Renowned for his ability to make his opponents look impressive, Michaels was on form this night and Prichard has credited the Texan for elevating Cena.
“Shawn and Cena, I thought that on that night, Shawn made Cena the man. I really do, on that night. I think Shawn was there for everything,” said Prichard when speaking on the Something to Wrestle With podcast.
“It also just showed me, man, John Cena was up four days in a row every shoot, everything you can possibly imagine for that event. Oh my god, he did [prove himself].”
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