John Cena played a crucial role in convincing WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to allow a 47-year-old wrestler to win the WWE Championship during his rookie year. This surprising decision came during a pivotal moment in 2009, marking one of the most remarkable upsets in WWE history and highlighting Cena’s influence behind the scenes.
Background: Sheamus’ Rapid Rise to WWE Championship Success
Sheamus entered WWE’s main roster in 2009, beginning with the ECW brand before moving to RAW. Despite being a newcomer, he received a significant push early on and soon found himself in a championship feud with John Cena, a prominent figure now nearing retirement. By the end of that year, Sheamus defeated Cena to capture the WWE Championship, a win that surprised many fans and insiders alike.
Plans Changed Moments Before the TLC 2009 Event
Initially, it was expected that Sheamus would lose to John Cena at the TLC pay-per-view event in 2009, maintaining Cena’s dominance as WWE Champion. Sheamus shared on the podcast Insight with Chris Van Vliet that WWE veterans Scott Armstrong and Arn Anderson favored Cena retaining the title, which meant Sheamus was prepared for a defeat in the match.
However, just hours before the event, Sheamus was unexpectedly called into a meeting with Vince McMahon, John Cena, and Arn Anderson. During this brief gathering, Cena agreed to “put the kid over,” signaling his support for Sheamus to win the title despite initial plans.
“Then all of a sudden, [I] got pulled into the room, and Vince is there, and I’m nervous as hell, right? Because all of a sudden I’m going into a WWE Championship match. Vince he turned around to me and John [Cena] and Arn [Anderson]. He said, ‘John, what if we…’ John goes, ‘Put the kid over?’ Vince is like, ‘Yeah, no problem.’ And that was it. And he walked out, and I’m just sitting there, what the f*ck is happening? And then when we went out there, that was John, though. Right away, straight up was like, let’s do it.”
—Sheamus, WWE Superstar
The Impact and Backstage Reaction to Sheamus’ Win
Sheamus’ unexpected victory over Cena stirred mixed reactions backstage, with some feeling uneasy about the upset. Nevertheless, this moment highlighted Cena’s willingness to support new talent despite his established star power and reputation for “burying” some wrestlers earlier in his career. Cena’s advocacy helped a future fan-favorite become a World Champion, showcasing a less-known side of his backstage influence within WWE.
Why This Moment Remains Significant in WWE History
This surprising title change marked both a career milestone for Sheamus and a pivotal moment illustrating how veteran stars like John Cena can shape the future of WWE. By persuading Vince McMahon to back Sheamus’ win, Cena helped launch a fresh chapter in WWE’s championship scene. As Cena approaches retirement, his legacy includes supporting rising stars, ensuring the company’s continued evolution beyond his active wrestling days.
