5 Times new champions were crowned at WWE Royal Rumble

#2 John Cena - WWE Champion (2006)

A legendary rivalry would continue to develop as @JohnCena challenged @EdgeRatedR for the #WWEChampionship at #RoyalRumble 2006!FULL MATCH: https://t.co/Fi59Y3aSfQCourtesy of @WWENetwork. pic.twitter.com/1ecKAgZpbR

— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2020

After cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at New Year's Revolution 2006, Edge became the WWE Champion by hitting John Cena with two consecutive spears shortly after he had defended his title in a grueling Elimination Chamber match.

Just three weeks after this, the WWE Championship was put back on the line, with Edge attempting to defend the title against Cena with Lita at his side. Throughout the match, Lita attempted to distract Cena, which worked on occasion. However, this eventually backfired when Edge accidentally ran into Lita aiming for Cena. John Cena took advantage of the mishap and locked him into an STFU, causing him to submit and drop the WWE Championship back to Cena.

Following the title win, John Cena managed to keep hold of the championship for a further 133 days. Like his earlier title loss, John Cena was the victim of a Money in the Bank contract cash-in, this time at the hands of Rob Van Dam.

In the years that followed, John Cena has become of the biggest crossover stars from WWE to the mainstream.