Huge AEW Star Saved John Cena’s WWE Career
John Cena’s path to the top of WWE wasn’t straightforward.
When John Cena made his WWE debut in a dark match in October 2000, no one could have predicted the star he would eventually become.
By the time Cena arrived on the main roster in June 2022, he was incredibly highly rated by those in the know. Jim Ross, in particular, felt that the would-be World Champion had a whole heap of potential.
However, he wasn’t always showing that potential on television. Cena has repeatedly said that he feared he was heading for the door on several occasions, and it seems he was right to be worried.
AEW Star Yelled At Vince McMahon Over John Cena
Writing in his D’Amore Drop column, former TNA boss Scott D’Amore looked back at Cena’s mixed early years with WWE. D’Amore recalled one occasion when Chris Jericho ended up in a shouting match with Vince McMahon, who felt Cena might need to be sent back to developmental.
“I don’t think it’s widely known how hard Jericho fought for Cena at the time. Jericho had been booked to beat Cena and there was talk that “The Prototype” wasn’t ready and needed to be sent back to OVW for more training.
When I say Jericho “fought” for Cena to be give a real chance, I mean he got into a raise-voice argument with Vince McMahon — that’s how strongly he believed John had something and was ready. He continued to advocate for Cena, pushing really hard that if only he had some mic time, the thug/rapper gimmick would get over.”
Meanwhile, speculation continues to grow around a potential WWE return for Chris Jericho.
Jericho’s AEW contract expires in December, and for many fans, this leaves the way clear for a return to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. As noted in one report, WWE’s pitch to Jericho would include a match at WrestleMania and a Hall of Fame induction.
Most recently, Jericho abandoned the trademark for “The Jericho Vortex,” which is a phrase that he used regularly in AEW.
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