John Cena is often openly admitted as the greatest of all time by WWE commentator Michael Cole. But there was a time when he was almost gone from the company before even getting the chance to prove his potential. The let-go was surprisingly obstructed by Stephanie McMahon who currently holds the co-CEO position to run things in WWE with Nick Khan after the retirement of Vince McMahon.
It was back in 2002 that John Cena made his infamous debut in WWE, answering Kurt Angle’s open challenge and thereby planting the seeds of the upcoming Ruthless Aggression Era. Initially, the youngster was presented as a loudmouth persona in colored trunks who had all the tools to become a bonafide heel. Despite a good start, he failed to connect with the audience on a regular basis on TV.
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As similar reactions continued for him week after week, John Cena was on the verge of getting released by WWE namely the then chairman Vince McMahon. The 16-time World champion was then allowed to change his entire presentation with the ‘Doctor of Thugonomics’ persona which was a massive hit among the WWE Universe.
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Stephanie McMahon wanted John Cena to debut his rapping gimmick on WWE TV
The shtick became a reality in the first place thanks to Stephanie McMahon. Dave Meltzer stated in his report on Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Boss Lady heard John Cena rapping off-screen and she was the one to pitch it to Vince McMahon so that the future 16-time World Champion can debut the new gimmick on television and become the up-and-rising star on SmackDown.
Therefore Stephanie McMahon is the one to be touted as responsible for saving the career of the last Franchise Player of the WWE, John Cena. Here’s what Meltzer offered in his report,
”He was actually on the verge of being cut and his push was ended by Vince McMahon until Stephanie McMahon saw him rap off television and put in the word to go with him as a major star.”
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As time progressed, his rapping style and charismatic personality became the key factor for John Cena to connect with the audience. The bulk reactions towards him eventually led to his big push as he went on to defeat JBL to win his first WWE championship in one of the marquee matches at WrestleMania 21. Since then, the Cenation Leader has built an unmatched legacy second to none and become a bonafide first-ballot future WWE Hall of Famer.
