Sunday, July 18th, 2021 – Rosemont, Illinois
Unforgiven 2021:
Pre-Show:
Raw Tag Team Championship:
AJ Styles and Omos (c) vs Viking Raiders
Intercontinental Championship
Jey Uso (c) vs Cesaro
SmackDown Women's Championship:
Bayley vs Bianca Belair (c)
Last Woman Standing Match for Raw Women's Championship
Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair
World Heavyweight Championship
Bobby Lashley (c) vs Kofi Kingston
WWE Championship #1 Contenders Match
Ced vs John Cena
WWE Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs Edge
Tonight, was the first time in 13 years that the WWE would be hosting an Unforgiven Pay-Per-View event and this one was one gonna be one for the ages. This Unforgiven Pay-Per-View event had the most complications with the main event of SummerSlam being determined at this Pay-Per-View event. The poster for this event was one that Cedric had to make sure that he would get hung up. It was one of the first Pay-Per-View posters that featured him as one of the main attractions. The post was very simple, Roman stood in a suit in the background with the title in hand as John and Ced stared at each other with eyes of fury. That said, that was something he needed in the gym for motivation.
Currently, the young star sat in a seat in one of the rafters up top looking over the arena. This started to become one of his main routines when it came to Pay-Per-View events. He would come out sit in the seats at the top of the arena get a view of the arena as a spectator and then if he had time go inside the ring and get a view of the arena as a competitor. This helped set his nerves at ease.
The set for this show was very similar to the set from the 2005 event with a more updated look on the ring apron and updated logos. Cedric knew that tonight was gonna be one for the ages. It was Old Lion vs New Lion. Megastar against Rising Star. A win over Cena could legitimize him as a contender for Roman Reigns and hopefully get the fans on his side.
Ced looked down at his phone seeing that he only had a few hours before the show started and he needed to get his gear on and prepare for his interview segment.
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The man who would face John Cena tonight in the match that just about everyone came here to see stood in the locker room adjusting his knee pads. He wore a set of black ring trunks with his logos in silver with an orange outline with black boots.
He turned towards his bags looking for his wrist tape but couldn't find any. This was probably because instead of his wife usually packing his bag, he decided to take it upon himself to pack it and forgot to pack the tape. H
"Dammit," He cursed to himself as he took a deep breath before looking up to find someone in the locker room with tape.
"Hey Claudio, you mind if I borrow your tape?" Cedric asked Claudio who just finished wrapping up his wrist with black tape.
"Yeah, just put it in my bag when you're done," Claudio said as he stood up and tossed the tape to Cedric prior to walking out of the locker room. Cedric then sat down in his locker and began to start taping his wrist as he let the nerves course through his body.
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Ced stood in the interview area in the back with a frown on his face as he collected his thoughts as he tried to shake the nerves away and gear up for his big-time match up tonight.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Ced." Kayla Braxton said as the camera zoomed out from her showing Ced in the shot as the fans could be heard giving him a cheer.
"Ced, tonight you face John Cena in a high-stakes match where the winner goes on to face Roman Reigns at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship. Most people have you pitted as the underdog in this match. Does that play a factor walking into the ring tonight?" Kayal said before she placed the mic up to his lips.
"Kayla, I've been the underdog my whole life. I'm not worried because a few people in the media think I'm not gonna be able to beat John Cena. I'm not the type of guy that cares about the opinions of others. The only thing I care about as of this moment is the WWE Championship."
"That title should've been mine a long time ago. I got screwed back at the 'Rumble. I know it, everyone knows it including Roman Reigns but Roman doesn't care how he retains his title as long as he retains his title. My rematch for the title has been a long time coming but the powers that be said I must go through John Cena in order to get to Roman. So tonight, believe me that's what I'm gonna do."
"John, I hope you're ready," he said before walking out of the shot leaving Kayla there alone.
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The camera shot panned over the arena getting a good shot of the crowd here in Rosemont, Illinois. The shot captured the fans rise up to their feet as Ced's music hit the PA system.
"Icon" Hits
The lights in the arena lowered as the lights above the stage started to go around in various colors. Ced walked out onto the stage, eyes glued to the stage floor as the fans cheered.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Weighing in at 252 Pounds. Ced!"
Ced looked up from the stage slowly setting his gaze upon the ring. He spat out his water in a mist before he started his descent down the ramp. Once he made it to the ringside area, he looked around the crowd with a smirk on his face before he walked around to the steel steps. He walked up the steps and onto the apron before stepping inside the squared circle and made a beeline to the corner. He jumped up onto the turnbuckle and hit his pose for the fans in attendance.
He lowered his arms and looked around the arena at the WWE Universe with a smirk before he jumped down and stood in the corner, awaiting his opponent.
"The Time is Now" Hits
"Time is Now" Hits
The crowd had a mixed reaction as the music of John Cena hit the arena's sound system. John walked out from the back with his green and yellow shirt to match his hat and arm bands. John looked around the arena with a smile on his face before he turned to face the camera.
"The Road to 17 starts now," he said before he reached into his back pocket pulling out a yellow and green towel.
Time to go to work Stu!" John said as he raised the towel up showing the message, "Never Give Up" before he started to make his run down the ramp throwing the towel off into the crowd as he did so.
"And his opponent, from West Newbury, Massachusetts, Weighing in at 251 pounds. John Cena!" the ring announcer announced as John slid under the bottom rope and popped back up to his feet. He looked around the arena before hitting the ropes to toss his hat into the crowd and hit his signature taunt while the crowd cheered.
John quickly discarded his shirt as the crowd's cheers could be heard throughout the arena while his music faded away. John walked towards the center of the ring with a hand held out as a sign of respect. Ced walked towards the center of the ring, shaking hands with John before they backed up to their perspective corners.
Ding-Ding-Ding!
And here we go, big time match up here tonight at Unforgiven. 16-time World Champion, John Cena going one-on-one with the former Intercontinental Champion, Ced.
The two gladiators would lock eyes as they started to circle around the ring before locking it up in a collar elbow tie-up. Both men looking as if they were chiseled out of stone were vying for position that is until Ced was able to get the advantage and push Cena out of the hold causing Cena to stumble back to the corner. This earned Ced a mixed reaction from the crowd as Cena looked at him with a smirk while Ced looked on with a frown.
It was rare for anyone to ever overpower Cena and Ced just did it here tonight. The former Intercontinental Champion was looking to get inside the mind of John Cena early in this match-up. Both Cena and Ced circled the ring once more before locking horns once again. This time Cena was able to overcome Ced causing Ced to fall back onto the canvas and roll back into the corner.
Ced rose back up to a vertical base still looking on with a frown as he tried to shake the cobwebs and get back into this match. Cena raised his hand up in the air as he locked eyes with Ced. The young star looked around in the arena as he walked towards Cena, locking hands with one another before going for an old-school test of strength.
These two bulls were in the center of the ring jocking for position, trying to secure some type of position. Both were struggling but it looked as if the younger man was able to get the advantage momentarily pushing Cena down to a knee getting the advantage early on. Cena, using his leg strength, was able to bounce back as Ced continued trying to push down and keep his dominance.
As Cena made it back up to a vertical base, he was struck with a kick to the gut making the crowd boo as Ced looked on. The former Intercontinental Champion pushed Cena back into the ropes before whipping him across the squared circle. As the former WWE Champion came off the ropes, he was taken down with a shoulder tackle from the former Intercontinental Champion.
Ced momentarily taking control of the match as Cena crawled to the ropes. Cena reached up onto the middle rope before being grabbed by the head and neck by his opponent. Ced tried to whip Cena across the ropes but this time Cena was able to reverse it and instead send "Young Simba" into the ropes.
As "Young Simba" bounced off the ropes, he was dropped with a shoulder tackle much like he did to Cena earlier in the match. Ced quickly crawled over to the corner using the ropes to pull himself up to a vertical base. Cena seeing this, walked over to Ced and whipped Ced into the turnbuckle across the ring. Cena ran towards Ced only for "Young Simba" to jump out of the way allowing Cena to crash into the corner. John stumbled out of the corner and was quickly caught with a hard right to the jaw sending him to the canvas.
Cena popped back up to his feet and was grabbed by Ced who drug him over to the corner before smashing his face into the turnbuckle. As Cena stumbled out of the corner he was once again dropped with another hard right. "Young Simba" looked out into the crowd before he turned his head to look at the SummerSlam logo that was in the upper corner of the arena much like they did with the WrestleMania logo during the earlier quarter of the year.
Cena, seeing this as his opportunity, took the chance to roll Ced up with a schoolboy roll up.
1...
2, Ced got the shoulders up. Ced quickly got his bearings as he and Cena reached a vertical base and quickly ran towards "The Leader of the Cenation" taking him down with a clothesline. Ced quickly rushed into the cover.
1...
2, Cena kicked out. Cena crawled over to the corner using the ropes to pull himself up to a vertical base as Ced quickly followed, not trying to let up on bit on John Cena. John pulled himself up to his feet and was struck with a right hand by Ced. The former Intercontinental Champion grabbed Cena by the wrist and whipped him hard across the ring into the opposite corner causing Cena's back to collide hard with the turnbuckles and fall to the canvas.
Ced turned his head looking at the SummerSlam sign once more as he turned and saw Cena start to muster. The young star rose to his feet as Cena crawled to the ropes once more using them to pull himself up to his feet. Ced pushed Cena back into the corner before whipping him hard across the ring again making Cena drop as his back collided with the turnbuckle.
Ced was in control of this match early on, enforcing his slow methodical pace. The man who retired The Game at WrestleMania walked over to John and grabbed him by the head and neck forcing him up to his feet before clocking him with a headbutt making Cena stumble into the corner.
Ced was looking again to whip Cena across the ring again but Cena held onto the top rope breaking Ced's momentum. Cena was getting back into the groove of things now clocking Ced with a series of right hands making Ced stumble into the ropes. Cena tried whipping Ced into the ropes but Ced reversed it and sent "Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Respect" into the ropes.
Cena popped off the ropes and was caught by Ced who locked on a sleeper. Ced wrenched in on the head of John trying to take him out of the game, but Cena was able to elbow Ced in the abdomen a few times forcing him out of the hold. Ced tried to swing for Cena but missed it wildly as Cena ducked it and both men ran for the ropes. As Cena popped off, he took Ced by surprise hitting him with a flying shoulder tackle. Ced popped right back up as Cena hit the ropes. Cena with another shoulder tackle sent Ced down.
And John was starting to feel it here tonight in Rosemont. Ced popped back up as Cena looked for his next point of attack. Ced swung for a right hand but Cena ducked it and lifted him up for his protobomb but Ced had it well-scouted and turned it into a releasing side headlock takedown.
Cena popped up as Ced did the same and ran towards the younger man only to be dropped with a big boot. Cena was looking to pick the pace up but Ced hit the brakes hard as Cena crawled to the ropes away from Ced looking to get some much-needed space. Cena pulled himself up using the ropes only to be met with a right from Ced. But Cena still had a lot left in the tank swung back with a right.
Both men started to trade blows left and right in the center of the ring with neither man getting the advantage. Cena with a hard right caused Ced to stumble into the ropes. He walked over to him and whipped him across the ring before standing in the center bending down for a back-body drop.
Ced saw this coming and came off the ropes hitting him with a face-first drop-down knee facebuster like "The Game" Triple H. Ced with the hook of the leg.
1...
2, kick out by John Cena. Ced wasn't playing around anymore and looked on with a frown as he popped up to his feet. He backed up into the corner looking for something that may lay Cena out. He shook his head frantically waiting for Cena to rise to his feet. Cena slowly rose up to a vertical base with his back turned towards Ced. Once Cena turned to face him, Ced came running full speed from the corner looking for a spear but Cena was able to get low and get him up on the shoulders for an Attitude Adjustment!
But Ced somehow was able to shift his weight and manage to get off his shoulder. Ced ran to the ropes and when he rebounded off, he went for a clothesline but Cena ducked it and dropped him with the protobomb!
Cena raised his hand in the air as the fans cheered. Cena bent down hitting Ced with his signature "U Can't See Me" Taunt before running to the ropes. As Cena popped off the ropes, he was taken by surprise when Ced had reached a vertical base and clocked him with a picture-perfect dropkick. Ced quickly scurried into the cover.
1...
2, Cena powered out at 2. Ced looked up as he ran a hand over his face looking on with a blank stare. He reached a vertical base and bent down to grab Cena by the head and neck. Ced was taken back by surprise when Cena kicked him in the gut making him groan out in agony before Cena would whip him hard into the corner. The strength by Cena would cause Ced to flip over the top rope and drop onto the outside.
The 16-time World Champion would pause momentarily to catch his breath as he looked around the arena at the WWE Universe before he followed Ced on to the outside of the ring. Cena, seeing Ced start to stir and crawl over to the barricade, walked over to the young star lifting him up to feet. He lifted Ced a bit into the air before dropping him chest-first onto the barricade with a make-shift flapjack maneuver. Ced groaned out in agony as he stumbled away before Cena would push him into the steel ring post.
Ced dropped down to the floor on the outside staring up at the lights. Cena walked to Ced not giving him any time to recoup, bent down to pick him up by the head and neck and throw him under the bottom rope. Cena ran up the steps and started to climb the turnbuckles slowly as Ced reached a knee.
Cena digging deep into his arsenal was looking to take Ced out with a maneuver out of the sky. Cena jumped off the turnbuckle which proved to be a mistake as Ced had quickly gotten up to his feet and jumped towards Cena taking him down with a spear out mid-air! The WWE Universe was going nuts as Ced crawled into the cover.
1...
2...
Thr-No, Cena stays in it as Ced rolled of him. This is how much the WWE Championship meant to both men.
Ced and Cena were panting for their breath as they traded blows back and forth. Cena had dropped Ced with a drop toe hold as the fans cheered as Cena prepared to lock on his patent STF hold on Ced. He locked it on as Ced screamed out in agony as Cena had his signature submission hold locked on. The same move that had tapped out the likes of Triple H, Randy Orton and so many more.
Ced frantically waved his arms around as he screamed in pain. He reached out for the ropes, mustering up as much strength as he could to pull himself along to the ropes.
Cena released the hold and grabbed a hold of Ced's leg looking to readjust the move but Ced managed to push Cena away. Cena stumbled away, giving Ced the space he needed to reach back up to his feet. Cena ran towards Ced only for the young upcoming star to grab him and lift him in the air, spinning and slamming him down on the canvas with his signature Double C Spinebuster. Ced with the hook of the leg.
1...
2...
Thr-No, Cena powered out at 2. Another near-fall for the former King of the Ring winner. Ced momentarily laid there trying to regain his breath as Cena crawled over to the corner slowly using the ropes to pull himself up to his feet. Ced took a deep breath and rose back up to his feet. He walked over to the corner and caught Cena with a hard right uppercut before he mounted over the former 16-time World Champion in the corner piling on a series of right hands until Cena grabbed him by the waist and carried him out of the corner.
Ced, somehow, was able to get out of the hold and swung at Cena only to be caught with a protobomb! Ced laid flat on the canvas as Cena once again raised his hand in the air before hitting Ced with his signature "U Can't See Me" taunt. Cena hit the ropes and when he came off, he dropped his patent Five Knuckle Shuffle across the head. Ced stood up to his feet groggily and was caught by Cena with an Attitude Adjustment!
Cena looking to win it all hooked the leg.
1...
2...
Thr-NO, Ced kicked out. The fans in the arena were stunned as Ced just kicked out of Cena's attitude adjustment. Cena quickly rose to his feet this time looking on with a frustrated look. He stood there waiting for Ced to slowly reach his feet. Ced slowly reached his feet looking dazed as he stumbled into Cena's grip! Cena lifted Ced up to his shoulders looking for another Attitude Adjustment! Ced out of instinct drove his elbows into the side of Cena's head getting him to release the hold.
Ced grabbed Cena by the shoulder spinning him around before lifting him up on his shoulders for a Deathbomb! Ced with the Deathbomb in the center of the ring! Hook of the leg.
1...
2...
Thr-NO, Cena powered out. Ced rolled away from Cena towards the corner panting for his breath as he looked at Cena with a desperate look. He looked around the arena at the fans who were now cheering and clapping for both gladiators. Ced wiped away the sweat from his forehead as he reached up for the ropes slowly pulling himself to his feet as Cena mustered up enough strength to make it to his feet.
Ced once again with Deathbomb but Cena, much like Ced did earlier, clocked Ced in the side of the head with a few elbows forcing him to release the grip. Cena picked Ced up for an Attitude Adjustment but Ced was able to somehow to wiggle out of it and go for a sit out pin.
1...
2, Cena lifted the shoulders up. And Cena quickly was able to get back into the STF hold. Cena squeezed in on Ced's head as if his life depended on it. Ced waved his arms frantically before grabbing a hold of Cena's arms and using his strength to pull apart the grip of John Cena as the fans cheered before he quickly went for a back elbow, breaking the hold completely. Cena rolled away from Ced, giving him the necessary space to recoup.
Ced stumbled over to Cena allowing Cena to once again lift him up to his shoulder. Cena tried to go for the Attitude Adjustment but Ced was able to acrobatically land on his feet and turn back to face Cena. He lifted Cena up to his shoulders and quickly went for the Deathbomb! The fans cheered as Ced hit John Cena with his signature finisher. He quickly rushed to grab Cena by the head and neck and force him back up to his feet.
Ced lifted John up to his shoulders again and walked towards the center of the ring before dropping him once more with the Deathbomb!
Ced finally hooked the leg.
1...
2...
3...
Ding-Ding-Ding!
Ced wins and he was on his way to SummerSlam to face Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship!
"Icon" Hits
"Here is your winner: Ced!"
Ced smiled as he backed away from Cena, backing up to the ropes. He slowly reached for the ropes using whatever strength he had left to rise to a vertical base. He stumbled over to the official who raised his arm into the air in victory. Ced slowly lowered his arms and faced the SummerSlam logo with a smirk on his face.
And with this victory, he was one step closer to his goal and now was facing Roman Reigns officially at SummerSlam on August 21st, 2021 in Allegiant Stadium.
Ced turned around to see Cena slowly making his way back up to his feet. The two men locked eyes as Ced's music faded away on the PA system. Both men were panting for their breaths as the fans in the Allstate Arena cheered loudly.
John walked towards Ced, nodding as he said something inaudible to the young star. John held a hand out as a sign of respect to the young star while Ced looked at him with a smirk. Ced reached his hand out, shaking John's hand as sign of mutual respect as the WWE Universe cheered even louder.
"You kick his ass! It's your time now!" John shouted as Ced's music played on the PA system once more. John walked towards the ropes and stepped out of the ring to make his way back up the ramp, leaving Ced there to celebrate his victory.
Results:
Raw Tag Team Championship Winner: AJ Styles and Omos
Intercontinental Championship Winner: Jey Uso
SmackDown Women's Championship Winner: Bianca Belair
Raw Women's Championship Winner: Charlotte Flair
World Heavyweight Championship Winner: Bobby Lashey
Ced vs John Cena Winner: Ced
WWE Championship Winner: Roman Reigns