The new WWE championship, unveiled this past week on SmackDown!

 Cena's album, out 10th May 2005

Let the new era begin.

After more than nine months and nearly 300 days as WWE Champion, the historic reign of JBL finally ended at the hands of John Cena at WrestleMania.

JBL, who had overcome every obstacle and every Superstar put in his way since July, couldn’t defeat the athletic, hungry and determined Cena on this night.

Cena mounted a flurry of offense late in the match, connecting with an FU and recording the three-count he waited his whole life for.

Cena had a sluggish start to the match as JBL dominated the action, hitting a crushing spinebuster, a short-arm clothlesline and a superplex from the top rope. JBL even tossed a reeling Cena out of the ring.

But Cena would recover nicely, ultimately winning his first WWE Championship and defeating JBL, who had earlier guaranteed victory.

credit: WWE.com