United States Championship - John Cena

After John Cena lost the United States Championship to Carlito on Oct. 7, 2004, he was viciously attacked at a nightclub. During the altercation, Cena suffered a puncture wound to his kidney. Although it was never proven, Carlito and his associate Jesus were both suspected to be involved in the incident. Cena shocked the world and was healthy enough to return to Survivor Series. Cena and Carlito were on opposite sides of a traditional Survivor Series elimination match, but before the match actually got underway, Cena chased Carlito and Jesus away from the arena. Cena got his shot at revenge the following week on SmackDown! He annihilated Carlito and won back the United States Championship. Jesus attacked him after the match, however, and stole Cena's chain once again. Cena retrieved his chain at Armageddon, though, when he pummeled Jesus in a Street Fight. He later began a rivalry with WWE Champion JBL after he won a No. 1 Contender's Tournament for the right to face the champ at WrestleMania 21. He defended the U.S. Championship against JBL's Chief of Staff Orlandao Jordan on the March 3 edition of SmackDown! and after some interference from the dastardly JBL, Jordan also had some gold strapped around his waist.