John Cena’s Backstage Politics: When the Face That Runs the Place Refuses to Lose

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.