John Cena ties record with 16th World Championship win at Royal Rumble
The legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair now has company as the winningest World Heavyweight Champion in the history of professional wrestling.
With his victory over A.J. Styles during Sunday night's Royal Rumble at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, John Cena tied Flair by becoming a 16-time champion.
.@WWERobinson gives the @WWE Championship to @JohnCena -- A World Title victory for the record-tying 16th time!! pic.twitter.com/hYI7vxL5OX
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2017
Related: Flair congratulates Cena on becoming 16-time WWE Champion
Hitting that benchmark was no easy feat for the leader of the CeNation, as Cena needed to pull everything he had out of his ever-growing arsenal to keep Styles down and out, including an avalanche Attitude Adjustment.
"HE KICKS OUT OF THE A+ AA!!!" - @MauroRanallo#RoyalRumble #WWEChampionship @JohnCena @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/4x3BKDUI5T
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 30, 2017
Styles appeared to have the bout well in hand after delivering his signature Styles Clash. Stepping on the apron to finish his rival off with a Phenomenal Forearm, Styles was caught by Cena for an Attitude Adjustment. However, instead of going right into a pinfall, Cena rolled through with Styles back on his shoulders to drive him back into the canvas with another A.A. for the three count.
FOR THE 16TH TIME, @JohnCena has won a World Championship!! Cena is the NEW @WWE CHAMPION, def. @AJStylesOrg at #RoyalRumble!!! pic.twitter.com/aVoxt1QTPC
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2017
Cena - who won his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 back in 2005 - will now move on to defend his newly-won title against five other superstars inside of the Elimination Chamber on Feb. 12.