10 Injuries That Altered WWE's Landscape

10. John Cena's Pectoral Tear (2007)

By 2007, John Cena had been firmly established as the company's ever-present focal point, yet the sight of him as WWE Champion was becoming a little bit stale.

So, when Cena was dramatically struck down by a torn pectoral muscle in a match with Mr. Kennedy, fans were left wondering who would now be thrown into WWE's top spot.

It didn't take long to realise that The Legend Killer, Randy Orton, would be next in-line to carry the illustrious belt.

Orton had been consistently floating around the business end of the card and his dastardly run as one half of Rated RKO, helped position him as the company's stand-out main event calibre heel.

After being awarded the title at No Mercy, Orton turned his slithering arrogance up to 11 and morphed into 'The Viper' with deliciously villainous performances against the likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy.

Cena would eventually return to challenge Orton (alongside Triple H) for the gold at WrestleMania XXIV, but Orton's shocking victory on The Grandest Stage of Them All only hammered home just how much things had changed in the Cenation leader's time away.