--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went from beating John Cena in my first…" description: "\"I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at WrestleMania.\" — Kevin Owens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg" --- # I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning… ![“I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at WrestleMania.” quote by Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg) > “I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at WrestleMania.” [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes his rapid rise from debut to championship, emphasizing perseverance and skill development. **In simple terms:** From debut to champion through hard work. Key Takeaway Focus on continuous improvement and resilience. Themes sports career progression determination Mood motivational confident Type sports career When to use this quote - training sessions - match preparation - career planning - fan engagement Key Concepts wrestling personal branding Questions to Reflect On - What habits contributed to his growth? - How can others apply this mindset? A Different Perspective Success can be fleeting without adaptability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Wrestlemania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestlemania/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [Winning the Intercontinental Title for the first time, in 2010, was a real milestone, as I grew up living off some of those Intercontinental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-ziggler/winning-the-intercontinental-title-for-the-first-time-in-2010-was-a/) [Dolph Ziggler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-ziggler/) > [To be in an Intercontinental title match at WrestleMania, that is the stuff dreams are made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-ambrose/to-be-in-an-intercontinental-title-match-at-wrestlemania-that-is-the/) [Dean Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-ambrose/) > [I've been a top guy since I walked in - since I beat John Cena in my first match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-ve-been-a-top-guy-since-i-walked-in-since-i-beat-john-cena-in-my/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [Whether it's the NXT title or the United States title or the Intercontinental title or the World title, if I have that title, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/whether-it-s-the-nxt-title-or-the-united-states-title-or-the/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [John Cena's match with me, the one that kind of got him hired with WWE, I remember they were there to look at John,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samoa-joe/john-cena-s-match-with-me-the-one-that-kind-of-got-him-hired-with-wwe/) [Samoa Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samoa-joe/) > [The thing is, in the WWE, we have the WWE title, the World title, the United States title, the Intercontinental title, the Divas title,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-ziggler/the-thing-is-in-the-wwe-we-have-the-wwe-title-the-world-title-the/) [Dolph Ziggler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-ziggler/) > [I want the Intercontinental title to be seen as more than just a 'mid-card belt.' The Intercontinental Champion used to be seen as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-miz/i-want-the-intercontinental-title-to-be-seen-as-more-than-just-a-mid/) [The Miz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-miz/) > [In my singles run, I would have to say my ladder match with Dolph Ziggler in Cleveland for the Intercontinental Title was probably a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-harper/in-my-singles-run-i-would-have-to-say-my-ladder-match-with-dolph/) [Luke Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-harper/) > [My whole time on the main roster was me being a stoic bodyguard, and I was still pretty stoic during the Intercontinental Title run.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-e/my-whole-time-on-the-main-roster-was-me-being-a-stoic-bodyguard-and-i/) [Big E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-e/) > [If it was up to me, I would be given ample time to do a full on performance. I would play all of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias/if-it-was-up-to-me-i-would-be-given-ample-time-to-do-a-full-on/) [Elias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias/) > [The tank entrance at WrestleMania 31 is my favorite moment in WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rusev/the-tank-entrance-at-wrestlemania-31-is-my-favorite-moment-in-wwe/) [Rusev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rusev/) > [It's not about getting WrestleMania moments for me, it's about making TakeOver moments bigger and bigger and bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommaso-ciampa/it-s-not-about-getting-wrestlemania-moments-for-me-it-s-about-making/) [Tommaso Ciampa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommaso-ciampa/) > [Just being involved in WrestleMania is a dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-reigns/just-being-involved-in-wrestlemania-is-a-dream/) [Roman Reigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-reigns/) > [I actually had a 'Wrestlemania' game for the Omega back in the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheamus/i-actually-had-a-wrestlemania-game-for-the-omega-back-in-the-day/) [Sheamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheamus/) > [I hope to get my own match at WrestleMania someday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-kelly/i-hope-to-get-my-own-match-at-wrestlemania-someday/) [Kelly Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-kelly/) ## More by Kevin Owens > [I do whatever entertains me. If it entertains me to throw flowers halfway across the room, then that's what I'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-do-whatever-entertains-me-if-it-entertains-me-to-throw-flowers/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [It is pretty daunting - the Cell has been responsible for some amazing matches, but it can also lead to some pretty real injuries,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/it-is-pretty-daunting-the-cell-has-been-responsible-for-some-amazing/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [Shawn Michaels is the reason I wanted to be a wrestler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/shawn-michaels-is-the-reason-i-wanted-to-be-a-wrestler/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [I don't think anybody deserves anything than what they already have because I believe everyone gets what they deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-don-t-think-anybody-deserves-anything-than-what-they-already-have/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [I stopped playing video games, I stopped playing other sports, and I just dove head first into wrestling and it's been my passion ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-stopped-playing-video-games-i-stopped-playing-other-sports-and-i/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [To be clear, NXT is a great place to be at, you know what I mean? ... Obviously, everybody aspires to be on Raw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/to-be-clear-nxt-is-a-great-place-to-be-at-you-know-what-i-mean/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [The crowds have always been known to be pretty loud and wild in the South.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/the-crowds-have-always-been-known-to-be-pretty-loud-and-wild-in-the/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [I would like to be champion - that is everybody's ultimate goal - but my one goal at all times, whether on Raw, Smackdown,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-would-like-to-be-champion-that-is-everybody-s-ultimate-goal-but-my/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [There's a lot of people out there who are just miserable in their own lives, I guess, and just trying to make other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/there-s-a-lot-of-people-out-there-who-are-just-miserable-in-their-own/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [When I was 11 years old, I started watching WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/when-i-was-11-years-old-i-started-watching-wwe/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [There are some cities that you go to that bring something out of you. Toronto is one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/there-are-some-cities-that-you-go-to-that-bring-something-out-of-you/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [You can't choose who your brother is. You're born, and whoever is in your family is your family. That's your blood. That's the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/you-can-t-choose-who-your-brother-is-you-re-born-and-whoever-is-in/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [I like having titles. I feel like when I walk out and I don't have a title, it's strange. Even in the independent scene…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-like-having-titles-i-feel-like-when-i-walk-out-and-i-don-t-have-a/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [Sami Zayn and I have had a long history. Same goes for Adrian Neville. I might not get the chance to work with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/sami-zayn-and-i-have-had-a-long-history-same-goes-for-adrian-neville/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [A. J. Styles is an incredible performer; very spectacular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/a-j-styles-is-an-incredible-performer-very-spectacular/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) [Explore all 100 Kevin Owens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) ## More Defending quotes > [“Assault!" he croaked. "The battery might yet follow." The warning- entirely unnecessary from Patience's perspective- came from Vane. One look at his face, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/assault-he-croaked-the-battery-might-yet-follow-the-warning-entirely/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) > [We believe in defending everyone's lives. We believe in defending everyone's property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/we-believe-in-defending-everyone-s-lives-we-believe-in-defending/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [“Skeptics are always marked by their total lack of skepticism towards whatever position they are defending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madison/skeptics-are-always-marked-by-their-total-lack-of-skepticism-towards/) Steve Madison > [My uncle, my dad always made sure I had guard skills. But as far as defending everybody, that wasn't really my mindset until my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/draymond-green/my-uncle-my-dad-always-made-sure-i-had-guard-skills-but-as-far-as/) [Draymond Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/draymond-green/) > [“Defending unpopular positions is what lawyers do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-clement/defending-unpopular-positions-is-what-lawyers-do/) Paul Clement > [Sometimes I think they should set up an asylum for people like that... a whole slew of paparazzi defending their positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-think-they-should-set-up-an-asylum-for-people-like-that-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people say there is a beauty about defending. Beauty is nice, but the most important thing is success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/some-people-say-there-is-a-beauty-about-defending-beauty-is-nice-but/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Sometimes when you're defending people, you have to admit there was something that's not quite right, and that preserves some credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-t-conway-iii/sometimes-when-you-re-defending-people-you-have-to-admit-there-was/) [George T. Conway III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-t-conway-iii/) > [“No system was worth defending if it didn’t bend for its people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/no-system-was-worth-defending-if-it-didn-t-bend-for-its-people/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [Passionately defending one's principles is crucial. Representing your district is fundamental. But refusing to entertain the common ground - with no other cost but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/passionately-defending-one-s-principles-is-crucial-representing-your/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [“Defending your point of view while knowing that you are wrong is just like a person whose wisdom is being obstructed by his arrogance”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waqas-haider/defending-your-point-of-view-while-knowing-that-you-are-wrong-is-just/) Waqas Haider > [I don't think San Francisco needs defending. I never meet anyone who doesn't love the place, Americans or others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-don-t-think-san-francisco-needs-defending-i-never-meet-anyone-who/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [My second year in Rome was very good. Back then, a striker was a striker. Strikers scored goals; they didn't defend. Today this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sven-goran-eriksson/my-second-year-in-rome-was-very-good-back-then-a-striker-was-a/) [Sven-Goran Eriksson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sven-goran-eriksson/) > [The truth is far from you, so you know you got to lie. Then you're all the time defending what you can never justify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/the-truth-is-far-from-you-so-you-know-you-got-to-lie-then-you-re-all/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I think defending is more of, like, a science, and it's fun to learn that. And then I see attacking as an art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobin-heath/i-think-defending-is-more-of-like-a-science-and-it-s-fun-to-learn/) [Tobin Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobin-heath/) Browse all 213 Defending quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at WrestleMania.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin Owens" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-first-match-to-winning-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defending" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-first-match-to-winning-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cd/kevin-owens-5893_defending_i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-firs_251626.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at…” — Kevin Owens", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kevin Owens", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I went from beating John Cena...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-first-match-to-winning-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-first-match-to-winning-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```