John Cena has been a key figure in WWE for more than two decades, engaging in iconic rivalries with stars like The Rock, CM Punk, Randy Orton, and Edge. While some storylines with Cena are memorable and classic, others have been perplexing, bizarre, and occasionally absurd, often reflecting erratic creative decisions by WWE.
One odd storyline involved Cena being stabbed by Jesus, the bodyguard of his rival Carlito, during a feud in 2004. This bizarre angle was created to give Cena some downtime for filming but ended without any legal consequences for Jesus, who instead lost to Cena in a match.
Another strange moment happened during Cena’s retirement phase when he was involved in a confusing feud with R-Truth, who vacillated between his comedic and serious personas, even after being released and brought back due to fan demand. This storyline lacked coherence and did little to serve either wrestler.
In 2009, The Miz claimed a curious 7-0 lead over Cena via forfeits before finally facing him in a short match where Cena quickly defeated him, raising questions about the purpose of their rivalry.
Cena was also central to a fabricated romance angle with AJ Lee during a feud with Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler. The storyline culminated in a brief on-screen kiss and a betrayal by AJ Lee, highlighting the often strange nature of wrestling romance plots.
Cena’s involvement in a love triangle storyline with Vickie Guerrero, Edge, and Big Show ahead of WrestleMania 25 was more soap opera than sports entertainment, with Cena blackmailing Guerrero to get a title shot, adding layers of drama that felt forced and overdone.
A more personal storyline saw Cena break Zack Ryder’s heart on-screen by kissing Ryder’s girlfriend Eve Torres, which introduced a darker emotional subtext as Kane pushed Cena toward embracing a villainous side that never fully materialized.
Finally, Cena’s clash with WWE authority figure John Laurinaitis in 2012 was a notably awkward feud where Cena faced off against the abusive GM, even losing at a pay-per-view event before ultimately firing Laurinaitis with Vince McMahon’s backing. This feud was widely regarded as one of the year’s weaker programs.
Fan Take: These unusual and sometimes cringeworthy storylines remind WWE fans that even top stars like John Cena have experienced creative missteps. Understanding these moments helps fans appreciate the challenge WWE faces in balancing entertainment with meaningful storytelling, which is crucial for the sport’s ongoing evolution and viewer engagement.
