“He’s Explosive”- John Cena’s Very First WWE Opponent Showers Massive Praise on Another of the Champ’s Iconic Rival

In a pro-wrestling career spanning 21 years, WWE icon John Cena has locked horns with several legends. But it had to start with one. On June 27, 2002, Cena, then just 25 years of age, responded to an open challenge from Kurt Angle and took on the Olympic gold medalist. While he managed to impress the crowd, it wasn’t enough to secure him the victory.

Later, Cena went on to feud with many in the company, including renowned names. One of whom received praise from Angle recently.

Kurt Angle explains why Rob Van Dam was special

While the WWE Hall of Famer is no longer an active wrestler. Although he’s still active among the fans through his podcast- The Kurt Angle Show. In a recent episode, the 54-year-old spoke about one of his opponents, Rob Van Dam, who also has an iconic rivalry with Cena.

“Rob’s great to work with,” Angle said. “I mean, he’s different. He’s explosive,” he added. Angle explained that it’s RVD’s flexibility despite his massive size that made him stand out among other wrestlers.

“You know he’s a high flyer and his size. I mean, the guy is 250 [pounds]. So, to move the way he does in the ring is incredible. Really flexible individual. [He] Can do just about anything and that really helps. It works for him,” the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion said.

On the other hand, Rob Van Dam, who set the pro-wrestling world on fire with his electrifying moves, honed his skills in ECW before moving to WWE. He was the only man to hold both the WWE Championship and ECW World Heavyweight Championship titles simultaneously.

Read More: Kurt Angle Sheds Light on How He Honed John Cena Into a “Main-Eventer” During the Latter’s Initial Stages in WWE: “It Gave Me More Value”

That feat wouldn’t have been possible with Cena.

The iconic match that left John Cena satisfied despite the outcome

Do you remember the dying moments of the match between RVD and John Cena at ECW One Night Stand in 2006? The fans inside the Hammerstein Ballroom were easily the most anti-John Cena fans ever. Despite an entire crowd chanting against him, the WWE champion put on a classic against Van Dam. That, interestingly, was their first in-ring encounter.

After the match, Cena left the ring without his belt as RVD was crowned the new champion. The crowd, reportedly, was prepared to riot had the results been anything else apart from what transpired. Cena, though, was satisfied. During a Q&A at the Florida Supercon a few years ago, he told a fan that it was beautiful to walk out after the match and wouldn’t have taken the loss any other way.

However, Van Dan wished the match had been a tad different. Well, Cena didn’t lose clean. It was Edge who interfered, putting Cena through a table with a spear, before RVD pinned him and Paul Heyman did the three count.

Speaking on his 1 Of A Kind podcast a few days ago, Van Dam said, “I remember wishing at the time that Edge wouldn’t have come in and helped for the finish. Maybe that was just an ego thing. I might have just thought, ‘I should have beat him square.'”

Unfortunately, RVD’s time in the WWE came to a screeching halt soon after that night, after he committed a mistake and got arrested. So, what’s your take on Kurt Angle’s views about RVD? Let us know in the comments.

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