8 WWE Stars Who Were Noticeably Phased Out

Everyone is expendable in the non-stop world of WWE.

Steve Austin Vengeance 2001
WWE.com

A very small percentage of WWE stars will ever get to the tippy top of the card. Even fewer will be able to cement themselves there for a significant period of time. In the cut-throat, shark tank world of WWE, everyone is (or at least should be) looking to climb the mountain, to establish themselves as the guy.

The guys on top, then, have to constantly be looking over their shoulder, making note of those trying to supplant them in the money spots. After working so hard and overcoming so many obstacles, a WWE stars' time at the summit can often be short-lived. Either a younger, hungrier guy comes along and bypasses them or injuries take them out of the equation altogether.

Or, sometimes, they are just phased out, demoted from the show-closer, to the semi-main event to the midcard all the way to the commentary desk. Vince McMahon and WWE haven't been shy about reducing the roles of once-untouchable performers, knocking them down a peg or two when they get too old or too powerful or their drawing power wanes.

As the following eight examples illustrate, just because you've made yourself, the company and, ultimately, Vince McMahon millions of dollars, it doesn't mean you're sacrosanct and you can always be replaced.

8. John Cena - 2015

Steve Austin Vengeance 2001
WWE.com

Let's start things off by looking at the man that inspired this feature; former 15-time WWE Champion, multi-time WrestleMania main event and all-around face of the company, John Cena.

Cena had been the guy for a decade, since winning his first major heavyweight title in 2005. WWE depended on him and his hard work. Indeed, nobody save for perhaps Vince McMahon himself works harder for the cause than Big Match John, who sees an actual day off once in a blue moon.

When that merch money keeps rolling in, you don't wanna take Cena off the house show loop.

In 2016, less than a year shy of his 40th birthday, it's obvious that Cena's full-time in-ring career is winding down somewhat, not helped by the glut of injuries he's suffered over the last few years. He's beat up and worn down and, let's face it, overexposed. With WWE preparing for Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and others to take over at the top of the card, Cena was given a reduced role in 2015.

Then the United States Champion - a title he'd first held back in 2004 - Cena was tasked with feuding with recent NXT call-up Kevin Owens and competing in open challenges, defending the strap against everyone from Zack Ryder and Neville to Sami Zayn and Alberto Del Rio.

He was still featured, but he wasn't always in the top storylines, which were usually to do with either Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose or part-timers Undertaker and Brock Lesnar.

Since returning from yet another injury earlier this Spring, Cena has been mainly tussling with AJ Styles and the club. It's an exciting feud, but no world titles are on the line and the matches aren't closing out pay-per-views, which was the Cena norm for a full ten years.

Contributor
Contributor

Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...