Top 10 Superstars Whose Careers John Cena Has Ruined the Worst

This is a list of guys who feuded with Cena, and whose careers never recovered afterward.

1. Wade Barrett

   

   Stuart Alexander "Stu" Bennett is an English professional wrestler, actor, and former bare-knuckle boxer, best known for his time in WWE under the ring name Wade Barrett. He became a commentator for WWE's NXT brand in 2020. Outside wrestling, Bennett has also appeared in several films.

   John Cena saw Wade Barrett as a threat, which is why he buried him. Cena played backstage politics to win at SummerSlam 2010 by telling Vince sob stories so that the kids could get a happy ending.

2. Damien Sandow

   

   Aaron Steven Haddad (born August 3, 1982) is an American professional wrestler best known for his tenure in WWE under the ring name Damien Sandow. He debuted on the main roster in 2012 after a successful run in NXT and became known for his Intellectual Savior persona. Since leaving WWE in 2016, he has... read more

3. Bray Wyatt

   

   Windham Lawrence Rotunda (May 23, 1987 - August 24, 2023) was an American professional wrestler. He was signed to WWE under the ring name Bray Wyatt and was a third‑generation wrestler, following the legacy of his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, father Mike Rotunda, and uncles Barry and Kendall Windham... read more

   One day WWE and Cena will pay for what they did to these superstars on this list.

4. Rusev

   

   Miroslav Barnyashev is a Bulgarian professional wrestler and former powerlifter and rower, better known by his ring name Rusev during his time in WWE. He was a three-time United States Champion and the first Bulgarian to wrestle for WWE. After his release in April 2020, he joined All Elite Wrestling... read more

   Although I never cared for this man, he was doing okay. Then for some damn reason, they fed him to Cena. That's the worst person you could feed him to. At Fastlane, he beat Cena, which wasn't surprising. Then, of course, he lost at WrestleMania predictably, and his career fell from there.

   I think Rusev sucks. I was happy to see Cena ruin his career. This guy is pathetic. His Russian gimmick is terrible, and he was actually born in Bulgaria. Plus, he's no super athlete. Men like Kurt Angle, CM Punk, and Chris Benoit were super athletes. Even Khali was more athletic than this Bulgarian.

5. Umaga

   

   Edward Smith "Umaga" Fatu (March 28, 1973 - December 4, 2009) was an American Samoan professional wrestler best known for his run in WWE from 2003 to 2006 under the ring name Umaga. He was a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and headlined multiple pay-per-views before retiring due to health issues... read more

   This man was world championship material, but WWE was too stupid to see that.

6. Zack Ryder

   

   Matthew Brett Cardona, better known by his ring name Zack Ryder, is an American professional wrestler. He was previously signed to WWE, where he gained popularity with his Long Island Iced-Z persona and online series. Cardona now competes on the independent circuit and other wrestling promotions.

   While he never faced Cena in the ring in 2011 (he was more of an ally), Zack Ryder was on the rise as a face and even won the Intercontinental Title. Things looked promising until the New Year of 2012 hit. Kane beat him up so badly that Ryder was in a wheelchair, only to see Eve kiss John Cena. This somehow counted as a burial because Ryder was on Team Teddy. He then got kicked in the private parts by Eve, marking a sad end to what could have been a promising career. Now, you could say he faced Cena just recently.

7. Alberto Del Rio

   

   José Alberto Rodríguez (born September 25, 1977), best known as Alberto Del Rio, is a Mexican professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He made his WWE debut in 2010 and is a two-time WWE Champion and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. He also became the first wrestler from Mexico... read more

8. Ryback

   

   Ryan Allen Reeves (born November 10, 1981), better known by his ring name Ryback, is an American professional wrestler currently performing on the independent circuit. He wrestled for WWE from 2012 to 2016, where he was a one-time Intercontinental Champion. Following his WWE release, he has competed... read more

   John Cena saw Ryback as a threat. That was the reason why Cena buried him.

9. The Miz

   

   Michael Gregory "Mike" Mizanin is an American professional wrestler, reality television star, and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name The Miz. He has been a multi-time champion and a consistent presence on WWE programming since 2004.

   The Miz would have had a bigger career in WWE if John Cena hadn't defeated him for the WWE title.

10. Dolph Ziggler

    

    Nicholas Theodore Nemeth (born July 27, 1980), best known by the ring name Dolph Ziggler, is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian, and actor. He made his WWE debut in 2004 and has since won the Intercontinental Championship three times. He is known for his show-stealing performances and... read more

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Hulk Hogan

    

    Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, was an American professional wrestler, actor, television personality, entrepreneur, and musician. He rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s through his work with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). Hogan is widely regarded as one of the... read more

12. ?

    Baron Corbin

    

    Thomas Pestock, born September 13, 1984, in Lenexa, Kansas, is an American professional wrestler and former professional football player. He signed with WWE in 2012 and initially competed in their developmental brand, NXT. He made his main roster debut at WrestleMania 32, where he won the André the Giant... read more

    It was nice knowing you, Lone Wolf. Your fate was sealed by John Cena prior to SummerSlam.

    Having Corbin lose at SummerSlam was a very stupid booking decision.

The Contenders

13. Cesaro

    

    Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under his real name. He previously starred in WWE from 2011 to 2022 under the ring names Antonio Cesaro and Cesaro. Before WWE, he wrestled in Ring of Honor and various independent promotions... read more

    He is not a fake star like Cena. Plus, he is taller, 20 pounds lighter, and also thinner than Cena. Still, Cesaro's amazing ring ability and strength have stunned the WWE Universe. Too bad Cena will bury this guy too.

14. Kevin Owens

    

    Kevin Steen (born May 7, 1984) is a Canadian professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Kevin Owens. He began his career in 2000 on the independent circuit before joining WWE NXT in 2014. He is a former NXT Champion and has held the WWE Universal Championship once.

    Unlike Cena, this guy can actually wrestle. He had massive skills, a good number of moves, and crazy talent. But after he faced Cena, it was all over for Owens.

    This guy had a great opportunity, but of course, John Cena buried him.

15. Alex Riley

    

    Kevin Robert Kiley Jr. is an American professional wrestler and former commentator, best known for his tenure with WWE under the ring name Alex Riley. He competed in WWE's developmental and main roster programming between 2007 and 2016. Kiley later pursued acting and briefly returned to wrestling in... read more

    I feel so bad for A-Ry. He's a talented in-ring performer with great mic skills and a good look. The fans were behind him, and then Cena came along and screwed up his career by burying him backstage. Screw you, Cena.

    The man had great talent. Cena bullied him and laughed at him. Riley tried to stand up for himself and now is an NXT commentator. He doesn't wrestle anymore.

    Another wrestler Cena saw as a threat. Cena ruined Alex Riley's career in WWE. This burial led WWE to rely on indie wrestlers, taking the spotlight away from homegrown WWE talent.

16. R-truth

    

    Ronnie Aaron Killings, born on January 19, 1972, is an American professional wrestler, rapper, and comedian. Known by his ring name R-Truth, he is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. R-Truth has had a successful career in WWE, winning multiple titles, including the WWE... read more

    Also known as K-Kwik for most of his career, R-Truth had been a mid-card act for 11 years. Then, he made an interesting but funny heel turn, and who stopped him? Super Cena. He beat him in a forgettable PPV called Capital Punishment that nobody wants to remember.

    He should have won a world title. He is by far the greatest 24/7 champion of all time.

17. Tyler Reks

    

    Gabbi Tuft is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for her time in WWE under the ring name Tyler Reks. She wrestled in WWE from 2008 to 2012. In 2021, Tuft publicly came out as transgender.

    Just like Ryder, while Tyler Reks never faced Cena, he got quickly canned when his finishing move looked exactly like Cena's Attitude Adjustment (AA). Cena wasn't happy and gave him a choice: change it or be fired. As if Cena calls the shots. It's infuriating.

    Another wrestler Cena saw as a threat. Gabbi Tuft's WWE career was ruined because Cena didn't like Tuft's finisher.

18. Mark Henry

    

    Mark Jerrold Henry is an American powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Henry is a former World Heavyweight Champion in WWE and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.

    Always struggling to reach the top, Mark Henry finally started winning important matches and won the title in 2011. However, he gave a fake retirement speech, which was great until the actual match took place. He lost and didn't recover afterward.

19. John Morrison

    

    John Randall Hennigan is an American professional wrestler and actor, best known for his time in WWE where he performed under the ring name John Morrison. He was released from WWE in November 2021. Hennigan has also competed in other promotions under various ring names.

20. Triple H

    

    Paul Michael Levesque, better known by his ring name Triple H, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, corporate executive, and actor. He is currently the Chief Content Officer for WWE, where he has also served as an executive vice president. Triple H is a 14-time world champion and a key... read more

21. Big Show

    

    Paul Randall Wight Jr. (born February 8, 1972) is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name Big Show. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1995 with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He has won multiple world championships, including the WCW World Heavyweight... read more

    Thanks to Cena, he has now turned into a jobber.

22. Neville

    

    Benjamin Satterley, better known by his ring name Pac, is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and also performs on the international independent circuit. From 2012 to 2018, he competed in WWE under the ring name Neville, where he was a Cruiserweight Champion... read more

    He went from having great potential to losing to Cena. Then, down the road, he had to feud with jokers like Stardust and Barrett.

    They ruined Neville. Not just with Cena, but in general.

23. Mr Kennedy

    Mr. Kennedy's WWE and eventually professional wrestling career was ended entirely because of Cena and Orton. He needs to be higher on the list.

    Cena got him fired over Mr. Anderson's accident.

24. Dean Ambrose

    

    Jonathan "Jon" Good is an American professional wrestler and actor currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Jon Moxley. He also makes appearances for New Japan Pro‑Wrestling, where he has held the IWGP United States Championship. He previously wrestled for... read more

    Ambrose beat Cena in a contract-on-a-pole match to earn the right to face Rollins. Despite losing, Cena was rewarded with a chance to face Orton in a #1 contender match, which he won. Meanwhile, Ambrose got screwed.

25. Cody Rhodes

    

    Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes (born June 30, 1985) is an American professional wrestler and actor currently signed to WWE. He is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and the half-brother of Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes is also known for his time in All Elite Wrestling, where he served as executive vice president... read more

    Cody Rhodes lost his relevancy during the John Cena challenge as Stardust. Since then, he has been jobbing to people.

26. Erick Rowan

    

    Joseph Ruud (born November 28, 1981) is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE as Erick Rowan. He debuted in WWE's developmental territory in 2011 and was a member of the Wyatt Family alongside Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Braun Strowman. As one half of The Bludgeon Brothers... read more

27. Dwayne Johnson

    

    Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor, producer, and semi-retired professional wrestler. He gained fame in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to a successful Hollywood career, starring in films such as The Fast... read more