4 former WWE talents who blamed John Cena for their departure
Last Saturday at Money in the Bank, John Cena unveiled his retirement plans, revealing that he would hang up the boots in 2025. The wrestling world is still abuzz from the surprise announcement as fans take a step back to analyze Cena's legendary career.
Apart from Cena's Hall of Fame-worthy in-ring career, The Champ's reputation as a star, individual, and role model helped him become one of the most recognizable names in pop culture. The 16-time World Champion is well-revered and well-liked, as indicated by the outpour of warmth he received upon his address.
However, Cena has had a sour relationship with a few wrestlers in the past, some of whom have gone as far as to blame the Leader of the Cenation for their departure from WWE.
On that note, let's look at 4 former talents who blamed John Cena for their WWE departure.
#4. Tyler Reks claimed that John Cena threatened to have him fired
Some of the hardcore PG-Era fans might recall Tyler Reks. Although his character was rebranded several times, Reks was popularly known for his short stint on SmackDown where he was a dominant force in the mid-card division.
Reks' WWE career never amounted to anything special, and backstage conflicts with John Cena, one of the company's most influential figures, could have contributed to his underwhelming run. These conflicts stemmed from Reks' finishing maneuver, The Burning Hammer.
The retired star claimed that Cena had a major problem with Reks performing his finishing maneuver since it had similarities with The Champ's signature Attitude Adjustment. Despite Cena's warnings to not use the move, Reks used The Burning Hammer, which led to the 16-time World Champion losing his cool.
During a backstage confrontation, Cena allegedly threatened to have Reks fired for using The Burning Hammer. The threats came despite The Champ having observed the finisher a handful of times.
Although there is no clear indication that this incident could have caused his departure, the fact that Reks' career never took off despite having an impressive finisher could be attributed to his strained relationship with Cena.
#3 The 16-time World Champion didn't acknowledge Freddie Prinze Jr.
Freddie Prinze Jr. is a former writer for WWE, having had two stints as a member of the creative team. Recently, the former WWE writer opened up about his relationship with John Cena on his podcast, Wrestling with Freddie:
"When I got there he [John Cena] did not want me there at all. And I remember the first time I met him, I was super polite, put my hand out to shake his hand, he walked right past and didn't even like, acknowledge me."
Freddie further suggested that Cena's disapproval stemmed from the former writer's Hollywood background. Therefore, the 16-time World Champion thought of him as an outsider. He believed that The Champ didn't recognize his passion for WWE.
What eventually caused Freddie's departure is unknown, but Cena's dislike could have been a contributing factor considering that The Franchise Player didn't want him around. However, the two men now have the utmost respect for each other.
#2. John Cena and Alex Riley weren't friends
During The Miz's first WWE Championship reign and main-event run, the A-Lister was accompanied to the ring by Alex Riley, his protege. Riley gained prominence due to his association with the 8-time IC Champion and was on the cusp of breaking out as a singles star upon separating from The Miz.
However, Riley never tasted much success, and his potential main-event run never materialized. The wrestling community tends to attribute Riley's downfall to his backstage heat with John Cena, who wasn't the biggest fan of The Miz's protege.
According to Dutch Mantell, Cena's dislike towards Riley may have derailed his push. The former WWE star never recovered from his failed singles push, descended the ladder, and was released in 2016.
The Franchise Player wasn't directly involved with Riley's departure, but their strained relationship had doomed The Miz's former protege to failure.
#1. Mr. Kennedy blames Randy Orton and John Cena for his departure
Mr. Kennedy, also known outside of WWE as Mr. Anderson, was once primed for massive things in the Stamford-based promotion. With good in-ring work and undeniable charisma, Kennedy had the tools to become a top star, and Vince McMahon began pushing him in 2007.
However, in the worst way possible, Kennedy rubbed two of the most important individuals in WWE - John Cena and Randy Orton. The Viper believed the one-time US Champion was dangerous in the ring, especially after taking a nasty Back Suplex.
In addition to supporting Orton's claims, Cena also disapproved of Kennedy trying to make fans boo him. The former Money in the Bank winner openly blamed the two top Superstars for his firing, and his issues with The Champ remain unresolved.