BOOKER T (C) VS. JOHN CENA

John Cena was stripped of the United States title because he struck at the time General Manager, Kurt Angle. Both were accidents as is shown on the recap package. New General Manager Teddy Long (thanks to Kurt Angle's broken leg miraculously healing so Angle can return to in-ring duties) made an 8-man elimination match, won by Booker T. Teddy Long decided to make a best of 5 series for the championship since Cena never really lost it, beginning at Summerslam and concluding tonight, between Booker T and challenger John Cena. Michael Cole and Tazz are on commentary for this match. Booker T enters first, followed closely by Cena as they both look focused. They're really building the feel with this match being the decider, both being on camera from backstage. As John Cena enters Tazz says he can't predict this match.

BOOKER T(C) VS. JOHN CENA (WWE United States Championship)

WWE No Mercy 2004 (3^rd October 2004)

They exchange right hands as Cole explains in this match the championship can be lost via DQ or countout. Cena gets the better of it so Booker T cuts him off with a knee to the gut. Booker T sends Cena across the ring but Cena knocks him down for a nearfall. Booker T gets knocked down the second time and Cena covers for 2 again. John Cena runs into a drop toe hold, Booker T floats over for a front facelock on the mat. John Cena gets to his feet and ducks the kick, backing Booker T into the ropes with right hands. John Cena clotheslines Booker T over the top rope and Booker T takes his time getting back in the ring, beating the count at 6. Booker T locks up with Cena and knees him in the ribs, dropping him with a clubbing blow to the back. A chop sends Cena back into the corner and Booker T chains together strikes. John Cena is sent into the turnbuckles but gets his boot up. John Cena clotheslines Booker T out of the corner and covers for 2. Booker T reverses an irish whip and hits a spinebuster for a nearfall of his own.

Booker T dumps Cena through the ropes and sends him into the ring steps. Booker T breaks the count and gives Cena time to recover, Cena sends Booker T into the ring steps and rolls him in the ring. John Cena covers but only gets 2. John Cena sends Booker T into the ropes but Booker T holds on, John Cena is supposed to run into a shoulder to the midsection but stops short and gets his shoulder draped over the top rope. Booker T waits for Cena to get to his feet and hits him with a superkick, Booker T covers but only gets 2. Booker T puts Cena in a chinlock but Cena makes it to his feet. John Cena breaks free with strikes, coming off the ropes and ducking a clothesline. John Cena hits a running crossbody and they mess up who's supposed to be pinned, looking awkward until Cena gets a nearfall. Booker T reverses an irish whip, sending John Cena into the turnbuckles. John Cena drops to the mat but Booker T picks him up for a suplex and gets a nearfall. Booker T goes back to the chinlock, drawing support for Cena and he gets back to his feet. John Cena elbows his way free but gets a knee to the gut for his troubles. John Cena blocks a suplex and hits a fisherman suplex on Booker T for a nearfall. John Cena runs off the ropes into a flapjack, Booker T covers but Cena is able to grab the bottom rope. Booker T mounts Cena and hits him with right hands before bringing him to his feet. Booker T hits another right hand, bringing the referee in to back him off.

John Cena avoids a kick, leaving Booker T straddled over the top rope. John Cena takes his time getting to his feet also but blocks Booker T's right hand, hitting one of his own. He blocks and hits the second and Booker T stops trying, eating 3 more punches. John Cena knocks Booker T down with a pair of flying shoulder tackles and covers for a nearfall. John Cena sends Booker T from corner to corner, Booker T walks into a running bulldog by Cena and a Five Knuckle Shuffle gets Cena a nearfall. Booker T slides off Cena's shoulders from an FU and hits the Book End, he covers Cena but John Cena still kicks out at 2. Booker T grabs a chair from ringside but thinks better of it, since he'll lose his championship. John Cena avoids a Scissors kick and covers for 2. Booker T keeps attacking Cena as they get to their feet but John Cena rams Booker T into the corner and hits the FU for the win.

WINNER: JOHN CENA (3-2 SERIES; NEW United States Champion)

It could be because I'm looking at it from 2018 but this was every John Cena match until about 2009, or at least the highlights. They worked a nice basic match but I didn't like Booker T losing because he almost brought a chair into the match (indirectly, but enough that I consider it part of the finish) The crowd were really into it though, with the support for John Cena a refreshing thing to hear. I knew it wasn't a myth that Cena was liked at one time. There were also a couple of sloppy moments that brought the match down for me overall. – WORKRATE: 1.75/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 1.75/5 OVERALL 3.5/10

This match is available on the WWE DVD and Blu Ray release: The John Cena Experience