John Cena’s Backstage Politics: When the Face That Runs the Place Refuses to Lose
Look, we all knew John Cena was the golden boy of WWE for the better part of two decades, but apparently his grip on that top spot was tighter than we thought. Recent revelations from former WWE and current AEW star Jake Hager (you might remember him as Jack Swagger) have pulled back the curtain on some serious backstage drama that makes you wonder just how many careers got derailed by Cena’s apparent refusal to do what’s best for business.
Hager Drops the Bombshell on Cena’s Backstage Behavior
During a candid interview with Chris Van Vliet, Hager didn’t mince words when discussing how Cena allegedly torpedoed what could have been a career-defining moment. The former World Heavyweight Champion revealed that after winning the Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania XXVI, WWE brass had big plans for him – plans that apparently didn’t sit well with the Cenation leader.
“Oh yeah, he absolutely refused to do it,” Hager stated, referring to Cena’s unwillingness to lose the WWE Championship to him on Monday Night Raw. “I was told that was what happened because the original plan was I was going to beat him Monday night on RAW and not do the tease.”
Think about that for a second. Here’s a guy who just won one of the most coveted prizes in professional wrestling, essentially a golden ticket to championship glory, and it gets yanked away because the company’s top star throws a tantrum. That’s not just disappointing – it’s downright infuriating for anyone who believes in meritocracy in sports entertainment.
The Ripple Effect of Cena’s Selfishness
Hager’s story becomes even more damning when he explains how powerless he felt in the situation. As a relatively new face on the main event scene, he couldn’t exactly walk into Vince McMahon‘s office and demand his promised push. “But I’m a young guy. I’ve been there for a cup of coffee, so what are you going to do?” he asked rhetorically, highlighting the frustrating reality many wrestlers face when dealing with established stars who wield backstage influence.
What makes this whole situation even more maddening is that Hager wasn’t asking for charity.
The man had literally won the right to cash in that briefcase through his performance in a grueling ladder match. He earned his shot, fair and square, only to have it snatched away by someone who apparently couldn’t handle the thought of making another wrestler look good.
Cena’s Pattern of Protecting His Position
Perhaps the most damaging part of Hager’s revelation is his claim that this wasn’t an isolated incident. “But I’m not the only guy he’s done that to,” the former World Champion revealed. “He did that throughout his career.” That’s a pretty serious accusation that suggests a pattern of behavior rather than a one-off occurrence.
This aligns with other stories that have surfaced over the years, including the infamous 2010 SummerSlam situation with The Nexus. Multiple sources have claimed that Cena changed the finish of what was supposed to be a career-making victory for the up-and-coming stable, effectively neutering their momentum before it could really take off.
CM Punk’s Pipe Bomb Takes on New Meaning
Remember CM Punk‘s legendary “pipe bomb” promo from 2011? You know, the one where he went completely off-script and called out WWE’s backstage politics? Punk’s criticism of Cena’s special treatment and his role in holding back other talent doesn’t seem like the rantings of a disgruntled employee anymore – it sounds like someone finally had the guts to speak truth to power.
Punk accused Cena of “kissing Vince McMahon’s ass” and getting preferential treatment that came at the expense of other wrestlers’ careers. Given what we’re learning from Hager and others, it seems like Punk was onto something bigger than just creative frustration.
The Real Cost of Cena’s Politics
Here’s what really gets under my skin about this whole situation: professional wrestling is supposed to be about storytelling and creating moments that resonate with fans. When established stars refuse to do their job, which includes making other wrestlers look credible, it damages the entire product.
Hager never got another legitimate shot at the WWE Championship during his entire tenure with the company. Think about the potential storylines, the fresh matchups, the excitement that could have been generated by having a legitimate new champion. Instead, we got more of the same “Cena wins, lol” booking that frankly grew stale years before it finally ended.
Why This Matters Beyond Wrestling
This isn’t just about wrestling politics or backstage drama – it’s about workplace dynamics and how established employees can either lift up their colleagues or hold them back. Cena had the power and influence to make or break careers, and according to multiple sources, he chose to protect his own interests instead of helping the business grow.
The fact that Hager is now thriving in AEW shows that he had the talent and charisma to succeed at the highest level. WWE and its fans were robbed of potentially great storylines because one man couldn’t handle sharing the spotlight.
The Legacy Question for Cena
As John Cena embarks on his farewell tour, these revelations cast a shadow over his legacy. Sure, he was a tremendous performer and did incredible work for WWE’s bottom line and charitable efforts. But how do we reconcile that with stories of him allegedly sabotaging other wrestlers’ careers?
The wrestling business has always been political, but there’s a difference between healthy competition and actively undermining your colleagues. If these accusations are true – and they’re coming from multiple credible sources – then Cena’s legacy becomes significantly more complicated.
Wrestling fans deserve better than having their favorite stars held back by someone else’s ego. Here’s hoping the current generation of top stars learned from these mistakes and understands that rising tides lift all boats. The business is better when everyone has a chance to shine, not just the chosen few who refuse to pass the torch.
