At the time John Cena retired, fans showed immense love and cheered him enthusiastically whenever he appeared in WWE arenas. Despite being a leading babyface, Cena was also disliked by a segment of the audience who showed their frustration not toward Cena personally, but toward his persistent, often insensitive wrestling persona. Nevertheless, among those who harbored resentment toward Cena, none was as vocal as Ryback, who has openly criticized Cena multiple times.
Ryback blames Cena for the downfall of the Nexus faction, which debuted impressively in 2010 by attacking major WWE stars, including Cena himself. While the faction initially gained momentum, Cena repeatedly defeated them, weakening their impact. Ryback accused Cena of being a “non-competitive athlete,” suggesting Cena didn’t want the faction to succeed because it threatened his dominance.
Ryback also claims Cena sabotaged the careers of wrestlers like Alex Riley, whom Ryback says Cena unfairly buried despite Riley’s talent and hard work. Ryback believes that during John Cena’s era, the head of WWE’s NXT brand, Triple H, brought many developmental wrestlers up to counter Cena’s influence, and Cena used his power to hold back potential rivals. Furthermore, Ryback accused Cena of refusing to meet the father of a child impacted by Cena’s anti-bullying “Be a Star” campaign, portraying Cena as indifferent to fan appreciation.
Despite Cena’s widespread acclaim for charitable work, including efforts with Make-A-Wish, Ryback’s harsh critiques highlight a contrasting perspective on Cena’s career and character. Years after a surprising heel turn, Ryback has continued to express his disdain for Cena, even calling him toxic and uncooperative, revealing deep-seated tensions within WWE’s wrestling community.
Fan Take: This candid airing of grievances sheds light on the complex dynamics behind WWE’s scenes, reminding fans that the sport’s realities sometimes clash with the heroic images portrayed on screen. Understanding these conflicts could deepen fans’ appreciation for the wrestlers’ journeys and the industry’s evolving nature.
