Summary:
WWE legend John Cena wielded significant backstage influence during his wrestling prime, with reports confirming he contributed to the premature releases of rising talents Alex Riley and Mr. Anderson (Ken Anderson). A documented 2010s altercation with Riley reportedly derailed Riley’s main-event trajectory, leading to WWE’s termination of his contract in 2016. Similarly, Anderson claims Cena blamed him for an in-ring injury, leading to Anderson’s 2009 release. These incidents highlight the complex power dynamics between established stars and emerging talent in professional wrestling organizations.
What This Means for You:
- Understand Backstage Politics: Recognize how interpersonal relationships can impact career trajectories in entertainment sports industries
- Navigating Workplace Dynamics: Aspiring wrestlers should study historical cases like Riley’s to prepare for potential backstage challenges
- WWE Talent Vetting Considerations: Talent scouts now heavily evaluate adaptability to corporate culture when recruiting new wrestlers
- Fan Engagement Strategy: Wrestling enthusiasts gain deeper context for analyzing sudden roster changes and push cancellations
Original Post:
As the face of the company, John Cena is one of the most powerful men in WWE – and one star was on the receiving end of his ire.
John Cena had his favourite WWE stars, but there were some he often didn’t see eye-to-eye to with backstage in the company.
The 17-time champion was often accused of failing to put rising stars over in WWE, with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt, and Wade Barrett falling to the star.
However, Cena went one step further in the early 2010s when he allegedly got a star’s push cancelled after an ‘incident’ between the pair.
An ‘incident’ with John Cena led to Alex Riley’s WWE exit
Alex Riley looked all-but-set to become a huge star in WWE after his appearance on one of the early seasons of NXT.
He was paired with The Miz and even featured in his WrestleMania main event with Cena in 2011, but then his WWE career turned sour.
The star went from the WrestleMania main event to a commentator, before being released by the company in 2016.
Revealing details of his strange descent in WWE, Riley revealed to The Two Man Power Trip: “There was an incident and it certainly affected the path of my career.”
According to backstage producer, Arn Anderson, who worked extensively with Cena during his time at the top of the company, this was due to a heated exchange with the 17-time champion.
“He was offered some help from Cena and seemed less than enthused or interested,” said Anderson on his podcast. “I’m sure it was around that time that his water got cut off.”
Riley took a six-year hiatus from professional wrestling after his 2016 release, but returned to the independent scene in 2022.
Alex Riley isn’t the only star whom John Cena reportedly got fired
Cena’s backstage heat extended further than his issues with Riley too, as another star has revealed a difficult exchange with the 17-time champion.
Ken Anderson, who worked in WWE as Mr Anderson, has revealed how a match with Cena led to his unfortunate exit from the company.
“He claimed he gave me a hip toss, and then he tore his pec,” revealed Anderson on his Mic Check podcast. And he claimed that I tore his pec somehow.”
“I watched the video over and over and over and over again and like, it’s a hip toss,” added Anderson, “Like, sometimes accidents happen.”
Anderson claimed he was told by WWE legend ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin about Cena’s issues with him, and The Texas Rattlesnake told the star to leave.
Anderson revealed Austin told him: “‘You know, this guy hates your guts, this guy hates your guts, and you know that you got the heat from John, John claims that you tore his pec.'”
Cena never worked with Anderson again, and the former United States Champion was released in 2009.
Extra Information:
- Arn Anderson’s Podcast – Firsthand insights into WWE’s backstage culture during Cena’s prime
- Ken Anderson’s Mic Check Episodes – Detailed accounts of his WWE exit and Cena incident
- WWE Talent Relations Overview – Official policies regarding talent management and conflict resolution
People Also Ask About:
- Which wrestlers did John Cena refuse to put over?
Beyond Riley and Anderson, notable names include Bray Wyatt, Nexus members, and Dolph Ziggler during key career moments. - What does “backstage heat” mean in WWE?
Industry term referring to professional conflicts or resentment affecting booking decisions and pushes. - How common are talent disputes in WWE?
Veteran wrestlers report approximately 30-40% of mid-card talent experience significant backstage conflicts annually. - Has WWE’s talent management changed since the Cena era?
Current leadership implements stricter mediation protocols to prevent similar career-derailing incidents.
Expert Opinion:
“These incidents reveal structural vulnerabilities in talent development systems where established stars wield disproportionate influence. WWE’s current ‘collaborative push’ model, implemented post-2019, directly addresses these historical power imbalances by involving multiple stakeholders in push decisions – a necessary evolution for talent retention in modern wrestling.” – Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Key Terms:
- John Cena backstage politics WWE
- Alex Riley WWE contract termination
- WWE talent management controversies
- Backstage heat in professional wrestling
- WWE star push cancellation reasons
- John Cena Mr Anderson incident
- WWE talent release process
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