No WWE Champion had a harder task with the championship than John Cena, according to Cena’s former rival, WWE Hall of Famer JBL.

Cena won his first of 16 WWE World Championships at WrestleMania 21 by defeating JBL, who had held the gold for ten months at that point.

On a recent edition of the “What Were They Thinking?” podcast, JBL shared why Cena had a taller order than any other champion. He said,

“I’ve always thought that John had the hardest role of any champion in wrestling history because he followed the Attitude Era when you could curse, when you could drink, when you had women that were naked, and then you had guys that were cussing, like crazy. And he goes to a G-rated era after that and he’s got to carry the company. [Cena is] the only person that could have done that.”

Cena kicked off his farewell tour earlier this month by declaring for the Men’s Royal Rumble match, a contest he won in 2008 and 2013.

JBL recently shared his honest opinion on the ‘Spinner’ title John Cena introduced in 2005. Click here to find out more.