10 Wrestlers Who Had Genuine Heat With John Cena

John Cena and Ryback

10. Mr. Kennedy

Ken Kennedy has long maintained that John Cena played a major role in his WWE release. According to Kennedy, the tension began after a botched hip toss during their 2007 match — an accident that resulted in Cena tearing his pectoral muscle. From that moment on, Kennedy believed Cena had it out for him. He later heard rumors that Cena was “burying” him backstage, criticizing his work and influence. Kennedy also claims Randy Orton pushed Cena to take those complaints directly to Vince McMahon, a move Kennedy says ultimately sealed his fate with the company. He insists Cena was “way more involved” behind the scenes than people realize, and hints that he plans to tell the full story on his podcast soon.

9. Rick Bassman

As Cena’s early trainer and agent at UPW, Rick Bassman helped him land a spot on the 2001 reality show Manhunt and negotiated his initial WWE contract. Their falling-out stemmed from John Cena allegedly making a sarcastic remark about Bassman’s agent fee and then ending their business relationship, reportedly under the influence of OVW head booker Jim Cornette. Bassman also claims Cena “buried” him to other WWE talent such as Sheamus.

8. Freddie Prinze Jr.

Former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. has spoken about his rocky relationship with John Cena, stating they “did not get along” early on. Cena initially referred to him as “Ashton Kutcher,” and Prinze recalls a heated confrontation where Cena interrupted his promo class, leading Prinze to challenge him outside. The 17-time champion implied that performers either “have it or you don’t,” which intensified the tension. Despite this, Cena later praised a segment Prinze wrote, giving a rare moment of positive interaction.

7. Ryback

Ryback has emerged as one of John Cena’s most vocal critics, repeatedly accusing the WWE icon of undermining him behind the scenes. According to Ryback, Cena viewed him as a major threat and would deliberately bury his matches to protect his own position. He’s gone as far as calling Cena “a poison,” claiming the superstar acted purely out of self-interest. The former Nexus member also alleges that during a tense live event incident, Cena refused to tag in and sulked through the entire match. Afterward, Cena allegedly confronted him and threatened to “destroy your career.” For Ryback, it’s one of many moments that cemented his belief that Cena used his backstage power to hold others down.

6. Tyler Reks

After being drafted to Raw, Tyler Reks introduced the “Burning Hammer” as his finisher, only for Cena to insist it was too similar to the Attitude Adjustment. Following a botched execution and then a correct one in later matches, Cena confronted Reks backstage, yelling at him and threatening his job unless he changed the move. The incident resulted in Reks being demoted to NXT, delaying his return to Raw for a significant period.

5. Chavo Guerrero

After leaving WWE in 2011, Chavo Guerrero didn’t hold back his frustrations with John Cena. On social media, he blasted Cena as “lazy” and claimed he “sucks as a wrestler,” arguing that Cena leaned too heavily on his trademark “five moves of doom.” Guerrero insisted that more technically skilled performers often had to carry Cena through matches. He went so far as to vow he’d stop watching wrestling entirely if Cena ever surpassed Ric Flair’s 16 world title record.

4. Michael Tarver

Former Nexus member Michael Tarver alleges that Cena intentionally fractured his arm with a reckless steel-chair swing at Night of Champions 2010. Tarver recalls Cena chuckling backstage and asking, “How’s the arm?”, a moment that infuriated him. Later, a spot Tarver pitched involving Cena slamming him onto steel steps caused permanent nerve damage and additional injuries, eventually leading to his release. Tarver believes Cena targeted him and that standing up for himself led to the end of his WWE career.

3. Wade Barrett

As the leader of The Nexus, Wade Barrett has never shied away from acknowledging his backstage issues with John Cena during their 2010 feud. Barrett has long argued that Cena buried the Nexus at SummerSlam 2010, insisting on a finish where he single-handedly overcame multiple members, even after taking a DDT on the floor that should have taken him out of the match. The result, Barrett says, derailed the group’s momentum at its peak. In 2023, Cena appeared to accept some responsibility, admitting he guessed wrong on the way that the story was told, a subtle nod to the controversy that has lingered for more than a decade.

2. John Cena Sr.

The complex relationship between John Cena and his father has drawn attention over the years. Growing up, Cena Jr. reportedly felt a stronger connection to his mother, while his bond with his father was marked by “indifference and resentment.” Over time, however, Cena has made a conscious effort to rebuild their relationship, learning to accept his father for who he is rather than who he wished him to be.

1. Alex Riley

Alex Riley’s career decline has often been tied to a controversial fallout with John Cena. Once close friends, the two reportedly clashed after Cena invited Riley to drink heavily on his tour bus. Riley’s refusal, according to sources, shifted their dynamic, and friends claim it ultimately led to his career being quietly buried. Riley’s inner circle also hints that there may have been more than just drinking that either happened or was asked, adding further tension to an already strained relationship.