Who are the WWE Superstars Whose Push Faltered After Facing John Cena in the Ring?
by T Santhosh
Updated May 17, 2023
WWE Superstars Push Faltered After Facing John Cena
John Cena is an iconic figure in WWE, having achieved the status of a 16-time world champion. Throughout his career, he has delivered numerous memorable matches and played a significant role in the rise of superstars like CM Punk and Randy Orton. At WrestleMania 39, Cena put over Austin Theory by accepting the pinfall, showcasing his willingness to elevate emerging talent.
Although Cena claims he never intended to hinder a superstar's push, his track record tells a different story. There have been instances where his victories in critical matches inadvertently halted the momentum of certain wrestlers. While most of them eventually managed to recover, it often required a tremendous effort on their part to regain their footing. The in-ring encounters with John Cena proved detrimental to the push of several WWE Superstars, as their momentum faltered in the aftermath.
Who are the WWE Superstars Whose Push Faltered after Facing John Cena in the Ring?
Below are five WWE Superstars who faced John Cena and subsequently lost their momentum, leading to a decline in their push within the company.
1. Bray Wyatt
By 2014, the Wyatt Family had established themselves as a dominant stable in WWE. Bray Wyatt, Eric Rowan, and Luke Harper gained momentum after defeating The Shield at Elimination Chamber. Their next rivalry pitted them against John Cena, the face of the company, after they cost him the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton.
The feud between Bray Wyatt and John Cena was built up effectively. Wyatt challenged Cena's virtuous image, claiming that a dark monster resided within him. Their promos grew more enigmatic, and Cena teetered on the brink of embracing his darker side before ultimately relying on his "willpower" to overcome Wyatt at WrestleMania 30, despite interference from Eric and Luke.
However, this wasn't the only obstacle to Bray Wyatt's momentum. Cena further hindered Wyatt's pursuit of the world title by winning the Six-Man Ladder Match at Money in the Bank 2014. The portrayal of the Wyatt Family's supernatural characters often presented challenges for WWE's creative team. However, during the Thunderdome Era, they were given more creative freedom, leading to the debut of The Fiend on the main roster.
2. The Miz
John Cena repeatedly hindered The Miz's career progression. Their rivalry, which began in 2009 for the United States Championship, later shifted focus to the WWE Title. Unfortunately for The Miz, Cena rarely allowed him to come out on top. The first instance was when Cena defeated The Miz multiple times just as the latter was starting to establish himself as a singles star. Cena even managed to have The Miz banned from RAW and excluded from SummerSlam. Later, at Over the Limit 2011, Cena forced The Miz to utter the words "I Quit" in their match, although The Miz did manage to defeat Cena with interference from The Rock.
At Extreme Rules 2011, The Miz lost the WWE Championship to John Cena, resulting in a downward spiral for his career. With Cena and The Rock engaged in their own feud, other wrestlers like Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns eventually entered the world title picture while The Miz found himself relegated to the mid-card.
3. Baron Corbin
Upon his main roster debut, Baron Corbin was expected to ascend to the top of the card, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He achieved notable victories, such as winning the Andre The Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32 and emerging victorious in feuds against Dolph Ziggler and Kalisto. Corbin even had the privilege of sharing the ring with legendary figures like The Undertaker.
However, it seems that backstage issues and a poorly executed Money in the Bank cash-in scenario in August 2017 put a damper on Corbin's momentum. Despite opportunities for redemption, such as at SummerSlam, the tide turned against him. In a departure from his usual support for emerging talent, John Cena dominated Corbin in their match, dealing a significant blow to his credibility as a rising heel. Consequently, Corbin gradually descended down the card.
Over the years, Corbin was subjected to various character changes and gimmicks, but the push towards the main event scene faded away. In an attempt to revitalize his standing, WWE selected Corbin to retire Kurt Angle, but unfortunately, it did not yield the desired results.
4. Wade Barrett and the Nexus
During their one-year tenure on the main roster, The Nexus played a pivotal role in catapulting several future legends to stardom. Among the standout talents was none other than the group's leader, Wade Barrett. Continuously causing trouble for John Cena, Barrett's victory over him at Hell in a Cell forced Cena to join The Nexus in 2010.
Despite WWE's reluctance to turn Cena heel, the decision for Barrett to lose to him at TLC was questionable. It significantly hindered Barrett's momentum and led to his expulsion from the faction he once commanded, exposing Nexus' vulnerabilities during its early stages. While CM Punk took charge of The New Nexus, Barrett consistently found himself on the losing end of matches against John Cena.
Nonetheless, Barrett's career remained noteworthy. As a five-time Intercontinental Champion, he introduced the popular Bad News Barrett persona that resonated with the WWE Universe. The Bullhammer Elbow only added to his appeal. Unfortunately, Vince McMahon never fully supported him as a top-tier contender.
5. Damien Sandow
After emerging as a promising talent as part of the Rhodes Scholars, Damien Sandow showcased his skills in the ring and displayed impressive mic skills. He found himself involved in memorable segments alongside the likes of Sheamus and even The Rock. Following his betrayal of Cody Rhodes and capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2013, the WWE Universe held high expectations for Damien Sandow, despite his limited experience in the main event scene.
At that time, WWE was in the midst of planning a title unification match, presenting an opportunity for the Intellectual Savior of the Masses to potentially become a major star early in his career. However, everything took a nosedive when Sandow's cash-in attempt of the Money in the Bank contract on the October 28 episode of RAW was thwarted by a selling John Cena with a supposed broken arm. Instead of seeking a rematch, Sandow surprisingly formed a partnership with his rival.
Following this setback, Damien Sandow's journey on the main roster continued on a downward trajectory as he endured a losing streak. Fortunately, a newfound alliance with The Miz breathed new life into his career, leading to the duo capturing the tag team championship and chants of "Damien Mizdow" reverberating throughout arenas.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc is a global entertainment organization and well-professional wrestling organization that has expanded into various factors, including movies and also other economic activities. In addition, to produce the most influential video games, the Company made licenses its intellectual property to produce good content and simulation characters. The world's largest professional wrestling promotion is WrestleMania, which functions annually between the mid-range of March and April.
The world's longest-running record was made and recognized as a popular professional wrestling event. On pay-per-view (PPV), it is broadcasting and is committed to the entertaining television industry, weaving them into interesting concepts that convert physical and emotional elements.
Who are the WWE Superstars Whose Push Faltered after Facing John Cena in the Ring - FAQ
John Cena has won the WWE Championship a record-breaking 16 times.
No, John Cena has never officially turned heel in WWE. He has primarily portrayed a heroic character throughout his career.
John Cena's finishing move is called the "Attitude Adjustment" (formerly known as the "F-U" or "Fireman's Carry Slam"). It involves Cena hoisting his opponent onto his shoulders and then slamming them to the mat.
Yes, John Cena has ventured into the world of acting and has appeared in various movies, including "Trainwreck," "Bumblebee," and "F9: The Fast Saga."
His appearances have become less frequent in recent years as he has pursued other projects outside of wrestling.