John Cena, a legendary figure in professional wrestling, stands as WWE’s most decorated world champion and one of its most celebrated performers. Yet his rise to superstardom nearly never happened, as Cena was on the brink of being released by WWE in 2002 due to his lack of popularity and an undefined character. The story of his survival in WWE, and the resulting impact, highlights how different the wrestling world might have been without him.
John Cena’s Wrestling Journey Could Have Continued Outside WWE
Even if WWE had let go of John Cena early in his career, it is highly likely he would have persisted in pursuing professional wrestling. Known for his relentless dedication, Cena probably would have sought opportunities beyond WWE’s reach, with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) being the most fitting alternative. While Cena lacked the style suited for promotions like Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro-Wrestling, TNA was growing and could have offered him a platform given his name recognition from his initial WWE stint.
In TNA, Cena might have been considered for top championship runs, such as the TNA World Heavyweight Championship or the NWA World Heavyweight Title, both prestigious in that promotion at the time. Despite this, it is unlikely he would have achieved the superstar status he enjoyed in WWE. His persona would have remained tied to his rapping antics, probably centered solely on his “Doctor of Thuganomics” character, since the more heroic “Super Cena” image never developed outside WWE. Over time, newer and bigger names emerging in TNA would have likely relegated him to midcard status.
Batista Would Have Stepped Into WWE’s Leading Role
During the mid-2000s, John Cena and Batista were both rising stars in WWE, engaging in competition for the spotlight. Ultimately, Cena became the face of WWE’s new generation, but in an alternate scenario where Cena departed, Batista would have taken over that position. Both men had significant momentum, but Batista did not reach the same heights because Cena was chosen first for top billing after WrestleMania 21 world title victories.
Without Cena, Batista’s role as WWE’s top star would have expanded considerably, increasing his world title reigns and elevating him to more WrestleMania main events. He might have headlined WrestleMania 22 and 23, possibly facing opponents like Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Other wrestlers such as Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, or Jeff Hardy might have received more prominent pushes as well, but Vince McMahon’s primary focus would likely have rested on Batista’s “The Animal” persona as the company’s cornerstone.
WWE’s PG Era Largely Depended on John Cena’s Appeal
John Cena played a crucial role in WWE’s business success during the late 2000s and early 2010s, coinciding with the launch of the family-friendly PG Era. His ability to connect with younger audiences and families made him the ideal champion for this new direction. Cena dominated merchandise sales, was a major crowd favorite, and was tirelessly involved in charity work like Make-A-Wish, all contributing massively to WWE’s mainstream popularity.
Although Batista enjoyed considerable success, he did not possess the same wide appeal to children or families as Cena and was more aligned with WWE’s earlier PG-averse styles. Without Cena to anchor the PG Era, WWE might have struggled to maintain its business model, possibly losing younger viewers and families. This could have forced the company to revert toward edgier, more adult-oriented programming resembling the Ruthless Aggression or Attitude Eras in order to sustain ticket sales and television ratings.
In such a scenario, WWE might have attempted to re-sign Cena to regain that lost connection, though he would probably never have emerged as the transformative figure he became during his initial WWE run.
