Since making his latest WWE return, John Cena has been embraced by fans. Even with WWE using the expected level of hyperbole to refer to the leader of the Cenation as the "Greatest of All Time," no one has taken issue with that description and the 16-time WWE Champion is receiving a lot of love.
WWE recently shared a video featuring Cena looking back at some of his favourite matches. Among them is his clash with Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules in 2012. That marked The Beast's return to the company, though the then-overpowered Cena managed to pick up the win despite being dominated for most their clash.
Reflecting on the bout, Cena shared some incredibly high praise for his old foe.
"Brock is one of a kind. I truly love watching him and I always tell you that I watch the people," he says. "It's really difficult to ignore Brock. You're in a fight for your life, but he's also the most giving, gracious performer. Gives it all, and there's no way for you to question his legitimacy."
"There's a ringside sign that says legitimacy is returned, and that says it all when it comes to him. I love Brock as a performer. I think he's extremely underrated. Even though he's in that conversation of the greatest of all time."
"And I love him as a human being. He is wholeheartedly himself and shoots you straight, and at least you know where you stand with him at all times. And I really admire that about him. And he's been wonderful to me over the years," Cena concludes. "Another person that we kind of matriculated together, and we both have our different paths to success, and we're both rooting for each other constantly."
Lesnar would take his revenge on Cena at SummerSlam in 2014. Decimating the fan-favourite Superstar, that was where "Suplex City" was born and the beginning of Lesnar's reign of domination (unfortunately, it was also when his matches started becoming little more than a series of suplexes and F5s).
It's unclear whether Cena and Lesnar will ever square off again in the ring, though neither man is showing any sign of slowing down. Cena's current run will likely end in the coming weeks - he's next set to face Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel - and The Beast is expected to be back in time for WrestleMania 40.
You can check out the full interview with Cena in the player below.