A former WWE wrestler has called John Cena a narcissist, accusing him of needing to control every aspect backstage. The retired wrestler, known as The Never Seen 17, stepped away from in-ring competition on December 13, receiving praise from many colleagues for his contributions. Yet, some peers, including past Nexus members, have described challenging interactions with Cena.
David Otunga, a former Nexus member, revealed in a recent interview on his YouTube channel that Cena’s conduct caused friction not only with him but others in the group. Otunga invited his former stablemate Michael Tarver to discuss their experiences, leading to critical remarks about Cena’s leadership and backstage influence.
Michael Tarver Compares Cena’s Control to a Classic Literary Figure
During the conversation, Michael Tarver shared an example where Cena vetoed a shirt design Tarver wanted to wear, comparing Cena’s demeanor to that of Charles Dickens’ character Scrooge. Tarver described Cena as needing to be in complete control and punishing anyone who deviated from his ideas.
“So, Cena is like Scrooge…He had to be in control of everything, right? And if someone showed up with something that was off script for his control, then he’d penalize them for it,” Michael Tarver, former WWE star
Tarver also mentioned an incident involving ex-WWE talent JTG, who sought permission to create gimmick glasses but was told not to proceed by Cena. He characterized this approach as typical of a narcissist who requires dominance over situations.
“I think, other than besides the issues he had with me, which, you know, I understand them now. They still don’t make sense, but I understand them now. It was mainly a matter of him being kind of a narcissist that had to be in control of everything,” Michael Tarver, former WWE star
David Otunga Attributes Nexus’ Decline to Cena’s Backstage Influence
David Otunga has publicly suggested that John Cena’s influence was a major factor in the downfall of the Nexus faction, a group of WWE rookies that debuted in 2010 under Wade Barrett’s leadership. Initially famed for their surprise debut on RAW and strong fan response, Nexus saw its momentum stall following a high-profile loss to Team WWE, led by Cena.
Otunga argued on the show INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet that Cena used his backstage power to alter the original outcome of the match, which was supposed to highlight the rookie group’s victory. This shift allegedly undermined the faction’s rise and contributed to its eventual disbandment.
Implications of Accusations Against a Prominent WWE Figure
The claims by Michael Tarver and David Otunga challenge the widely held image of John Cena as both a top performer and a supportive backstage presence. Labeling Cena as a narcissist and suggesting he deliberately hindered promising talent introduces tension within the WWE community’s history. These revelations may prompt ongoing discussions about backstage politics and the treatment of emerging wrestlers in the industry.
As Cena’s legacy continues to be debated, these testimonies from former colleagues offer a more complicated view of his influence during WWE’s transitional periods. The full extent of Cena’s impact on other wrestlers’ careers remains a subject of interest among fans and insiders alike.
