10 TIMES John Cena Buried The Miz
The Real World
Batista and Triple H were instrumental in drawing one of WWE's highest ever buyrates in 2005. WrestleMania 21 smashed expectations carried by a superlative programme between the warring former Evolution stablemates, even though it wasn't even on the whiteboard six months earlier. 'The Animal's spot belonged to Randy Orton before 'The Game' shovelled so much sh*t on the newly-minted babyface that it took several factory resets to remotely restore the 'Legend Killer's once-white hot aura.
The mistreatment just seemed too perfect not to be by design. Hunter's portrayal of a jealous psychopath when Randy scooped 'his' World Title in August 2004 (itself a premature push simply engineered to recent refugee Brock Lesnar didn't have the 'youngest champion' record) would have been so much better had it ended in his own tears rather than Orton's. Instead, Randy was violently ex-communicated from the group, literally chased out of the ring by the tougher heels and eventually beaten in his first shot under the proviso that he'd get his big win in the end.
Hunter and history rewrote that arc entirely, with 'The Apex Predator' falling foul of 'The King Of Kings' yet again in angles in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Triple H's babyface turn was just one more excuse to ensure Orton's routinely injured shoulders stayed down for the count.
It's presumably deep paranoia motivating such a lengthy and concentrated period of tacit and overt desecration. May John Cena's own Hollywood aspirations indicate why he's been so ruthlessly cruel to WWE's own 'A-Lister'?
10. Fresh Meat
No permanently-lodged serious expression was fooling fans when The Miz split from partner John Morrison in the 2009 Draft. As the established star in their feud, it was John Cena's job to help him do just that - but 'Big Match John' didn't fancy putting his working boots on during their June pay-per-view clash.
The future 'A Lister' was readying himself for a sideways step as a new solo heel after earning cult credibility with his partner over the prior two years. To this end, he came at the king of Monday Night Raw, amassing an imaginary undefeated streak against industry icon Cena as a way to goad him into an actual battle. And he didn't miss. "You're right John, I can't see you...because your movies aren't in theatres long enough" was a choice line from a month's worth of barbs leading into the match.
Their clash at 'The Bash' desperately required a certain level of parity between the pair, but 'The Champ' wasn't giving out any participation prizes. Cena brushed past him in just 5:38, barely showing respect to an audience sold the contest as a semi-main event. It wouldn't be the first time he'd kick dirt in his face...