Ryback, the former WWE superstar, has reignited discussions on John Cena WWE controversies by leveling direct accusations at the wrestling icon. Through a series of podcast statements and anecdotes, Ryback has held Cena responsible for damaging the prospects of multiple wrestlers and influencing backstage politics, fueling long-standing debates about Cena’s impact on other WWE performers.
Ryback’s Accusations Over The Nexus Downfall
During the late 2000s and early 2010s, WWE attempted to shake up its landscape with new talent and storylines. In 2010, the introduction of the Nexus, a group of emerging stars from NXT, made a memorable impact when they debuted on WWE Raw by ambushing established names like CM Punk and John Cena. The debut presented a rare moment of unpredictability, but the following months saw the group consistently subdued, mainly at the hands of Cena himself.
Ryback, then competing as Skip Sheffield within the Nexus, has publicly blamed Cena for the group’s swift downfall. He expressed his frustrations in a 2017 episode of his podcast, maintaining that the Nexus was intentionally held back at a time when the group was gaining momentum organically with the WWE audience.
“It was not used properly mainly because of John Cena. F–king marks, that’s your headline for the f–king week. And it’s a fact across the board. Everybody knows it and he did not want that to go any further than what it was going to go past because it was working, because it was eight guys getting over naturally. That’s why. God forbid guys get over naturally. That’s what happens when you get a noncompetitive athlete in the top position who’s not used to competing in real life.” – Ryback, former WWE Superstar
This episode is often referenced as one of the flashpoints in John Cena WWE controversies, with fans and critics alike debating whether Cena’s continuous victories over up-and-coming factions stifled opportunities for fresh faces. Many agreed that consistently booking Cena as the winner over the Nexus dulled the new group’s impact. Still, Ryback’s overt criticisms, especially calling Cena “a noncompetitive athlete,” have sometimes been dismissed as resentment, given that Ryback never achieved Cena’s main event stature.
Throughout his own career, Ryback lobbied for high-profile matches, even requesting bouts with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, yet never reached the main event status he sought. The ongoing narrative, however, highlights persistent tension over how younger talent is elevated or held back within WWE, and Cena’s role as a central figure remains a subject of heated discourse.
Allegations of Sabotaging Careers, Including Alex Riley
Ryback’s resentment toward John Cena did not end with the Nexus storyline. On multiple occasions, he openly voiced disdain for Cena, even blocking him on Twitter. According to Ryback, Cena’s backstage influence resulted in the premature derailment of several wrestling careers, notably that of Alex Riley, who was once seen as a promising superstar in WWE.
“But John would sit back there and bury Riley in front of everybody for no reason, and Alex Riley is f*cking money and he was money from Day One. Busted his ass, had awesome theme music, worked his ass off, went out there and got a reaction from the people, but because of John Cena and I swear to God, I swear to f*cking God, because of John Cena, his career is over in the WWE for no f*cking reason outside of John and his personal issues. Unbelievable.” – Ryback, former WWE Superstar
This claim, directly linking Cena to the end of Riley’s WWE tenure, adds another layer to the ongoing John Cena WWE controversies narrative. While rumors have long circulated about Cena’s supposed tendency to protect his own top spot, Ryback’s allegations are among the most direct and public. Ryback’s theory goes further, suggesting that Triple H, then managing NXT, made strategic moves to shield developmental talent from Cena’s influence when they joined the main roster.
Ryback contended that such interventions were necessary to prevent Cena from singling out and ending the careers of promising wrestlers. While the wrestling world has always been rife with speculation, few have aired their grievances in such explicit terms as Ryback. His own trajectory saw him move from a potential top-tier competitor to eventually fading away after his momentum stalled, which some observers link to the internal dynamics he criticizes.
Stories of Backstage Behavior and Fan Interactions
Ryback’s public criticism of John Cena also extends beyond the ring. In another 2017 podcast episode, Ryback recounted a backstage incident that cast Cena’s character in a negative light, contrasting with his public image as a fan-friendly superstar. Sharing this story, Ryback targeted what he perceived as hypocrisy between Cena’s on-screen persona and his real-life actions.
“I go to John and I tell him that. John looks up and looks at the guy (he’s about 100 feet away), and he looks at me dead in the eye and he says ‘f**k him’ and [Cena] walks away. That’s one little piece of everything that I’ve seen, off the top of my head. His character is the ultimate good guy but people buy into it.” – Ryback, former WWE Superstar
This anecdote involved an arena worker who wanted to thank Cena in person for the positive impact of Cena’s Be a Star Campaign, which helped his son overcome bullying. According to Ryback, Cena refused to even acknowledge the man’s gratitude, an action Ryback claimed exposed the performer’s alleged double standards. Although Ryback’s depiction is striking, it is based solely on his retelling, and it stands in sharp contrast to John Cena’s longstanding reputation for fulfilling hundreds of requests as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and other charitable efforts.
While it is true that Cena has faced accusations of self-interest and ego behind the scenes, a significant portion of colleagues and fans maintain that Cena’s public persona is consistent with his real-life actions. As with other John Cena WWE controversies, there is rarely definitive proof, and the debate largely revolves around contrasting personal narratives.
Online Feuds and Lasting Discontent
Ryback’s enmity with John Cena did not fade with time or Cena’s eventual transition into part-time wrestling and acting. Even after Cena’s controversial heel turn at the Elimination Chamber event, Ryback continued to take shots at him online. With a cryptic post showing a still from Cena’s turn and a video of himself staring into the camera, Ryback wrote:
I tried warning you all years ago…
This display highlighted how, right up to the end of John Cena’s active WWE tenure, Ryback saw him as an adversary who embodied the frustrations and political challenges of many performers who never broke through to the top. Ryback’s narrative mirrors an undercurrent of resentment felt by some in the wrestling industry, reflecting broader tensions about fame, power, and opportunity.
Debate Over Ryback’s Motives and Cena’s Legacy
The controversies surrounding John Cena, especially as voiced by Ryback, reveal the darker side of backstage politics in professional wrestling. While Ryback accuses Cena of undermining the rise of new talent and rejecting gestures of appreciation from fans, Cena’s proponents emphasize his charitable works, professionalism, and ability to draw crowds internationally. The truth, as with many stories in WWE, may reside somewhere between the polar viewpoints.
Despite Cena’s polarizing status during much of his career, the later years saw the audience embrace him as one of WWE’s greatest ambassadors. Ryback’s recurring allegations underscore how the perceptions and experiences of those behind the scenes often diverge sharply from the public’s view of their heroes. Whether or not Ryback’s claims are accepted, they continue to fuel ongoing conversations about star power, influence, and fairness within WWE, ensuring that the discussion about John Cena WWE controversies remains a focal point for fans, critics, and wrestlers alike.
