A Look Back at ‘If Cena Wins, We Riot’ from ECW One Night Stand 2006
Photo courtesy of WWE ©️
The Wrestling Sign Heard Around the World
The world of professional wrestling has seen its fair share of iconic moments, but few have left a mark quite like the "If Cena Wins We Riot" sign at ECW One Night Stand 2006. WWE's second annual One Night Stand pay-per-view event, under the branding of ECW wrestling, brought out a particular emotion during the main event match between John Cena vs. Rob Van Dam for the WWE Championship.
But what made ECW's crowd so special that night?
Forced to Play the Heel: John Cena vs. ECW Fans
John Cena, the face of WWE in 2006, found himself in uncharted territory at ECW One Night Stand. ECW fans were known for their exhaustive passion for all things extreme and being brutally vocal, and they made it abundantly clear that Cena was not welcome. WWE's John Cena, for one night only, was pushed into the heel role, not by choice but by the ECW faithful's animosity.
An Entrance to Remember
Photo courtesy of WWE ©️
Cena's entrance that night will forever go down in WWE history. Walking through a sea of hostile ECW fans, he held his WWE Championship high above his head, head down while making his way to the ring while being verbally lashed by the ECW fans. It was a moment that showcased Cena's resilience and dedication to his character and the match's storyline.
As Cena made his way to the ring, the now infamous - "If Cena Wins We Riot" crowd sign hung down from the Hammerstein's Ballroom balcony, a stark reminder of the crowd's emotional loyalty to ECW and their disdain for the WWE superstar. This was no ordinary wrestling match; it was a clash of cultures, and Rob Van Dam was part of the ECW family.
The Riot Threat: A Real Possibility
The "If Cena Wins We Riot" sign wasn't just a catchy slogan but a legitimate warning. ECW fans were fiercely loyal and unafraid to express their displeasure towards Cena. This was one of the only times in the history of wrestling where a sign like that felt like a genuine threat. The crowd's passion for RVD, an Extreme Championship Wrestling original, only heightened the stakes, and his high-flying, hardcore style made him a fan favourite. His match against Cena was a chance for ECW's hopefuls to feel like they won the war against World Wrestling Entertainment that night.
A Night to Remember
The main event at One Night Stand 2006 between John Cena and Rob Van Dam wasn't just a wrestling match but a defining moment in wrestling history. Cena's willingness to embrace the role of the villain and the crowd's unrelenting support for RVD, the passion of the ECW fans, and the looming threat of a riot made it an unforgettable night that will forever be part of pro wrestling history.
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Inspired by WWE's ECW One Night Stand 2006 pay-per-view, Stay True Wrestling has recreated the If Cena Wins We Riot fan sign and has released it in our brand new apparel line. Our One Night Stand collection commemorates the ECW 2006 pay-per-view from the Hammerstein Ballroom, allowing fans to wear a piece of wrestling history.
Check out our latest collection and visit our store today to own a piece of pro wrestling history.
