Triple H and John Cena stand as titans in the WWE universe, their legacies cemented in the annals of wrestling history. Yet, there exists a narrative where Cena’s trajectory could have veered dramatically, his WWE journey derailed before it even began.
In 2002, Cena’s main roster debut marked the genesis of what would become a storied career. However, beyond his initial bout with Kurt Angle, Cena struggled to gain traction.
Behind the scenes, murmurs of discontent swirled; top brass like Triple H and Vince McMahon reportedly entertained the notion of cutting ties with the budding star. Cena himself acknowledged the friction, recounting in a 2012 interview how he was on thin ice within the company.
“When I was just wearing boots and tights, and I was supposed to be the ruthless aggression, young good guy, nobody in the company liked me. I know Vince McMahon won’t admit this, but he wanted me fired, Triple H wanted me fired, everybody hated me.”
John Cena claims Vince McMahon and Triple H wanted him gone from WWE early in his career pic.twitter.com/3vxGs87bB7
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) February 14, 2024
However, Cena’s salvation emerged from an unexpected source—his ‘Thuganomics’ persona. It was a chance encounter with Stephanie McMahon where Cena showcased his freestyle rap skills on a WWE bus that ignited his transformation.
The character resonated with fans, propelling Cena to newfound popularity. While he later transitioned to his ‘Hustle, Loyalty, Respect’ persona, it was the Dr. of Thuganomics that laid the foundation for Cena’s ascent to WWE superstardom.
The revelation of Cena’s near-dismissal by Triple H and Vince McMahon sparked incredulity among fans. Many argued that had McMahon truly desired Cena’s ousting, he would never have been signed, let alone persisted in the company.
Triple H recently addressed Cena’s impending retirement, acknowledging that the wrestling icon’s tenure may be drawing to a close. While Cena’s multifaceted career beckons him toward new horizons, his impact on the WWE landscape remains indelible.
“But I do recognize what John is talking about when he says he doesn’t know how long he has. He’s at an age [where] he’s doing a lot of other things. I would just say this to everybody out there, revel in it. Because the appreciation level that John should get is off the charts.” [47:47 – 48:07]
