10 Most Infuriating Stephanie McMahon Moments

1. Not Even Cena Is Safe From Her Wrath

Stephanie McMahon slaps Roman Reigns
WWE.com

In the run up to WrestleMania 31, as he had done the previous year, Cena on a preceding RAW decided to enter himself into the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. A match, incidentally, nobody believed he would actually end up in.

Stephanie sauntered out to threaten Cena, getting in his face like there were some imaginary bars between then, and said that it would make no difference if Cena sat 'Mania out that year. That might be up for debate. 'Mania is an attraction unto itself and largely sells out before the card is announced.

But this is where the reality-driven Authority gimmick caved in on itself - if their raison d'etre was to do what was 'best for business', on what planet does withdrawing John Cena from WrestleMania, or even doing something that would alienate him at all, constitute that?

Most fans are aware that Cena is a mark for WWE, so there is some truth in Steph's comment that he can't survive without it. However, the Authority's selective kayfabe transgressions really only ensured that going that route at all is a fool's errand.

More incredibly still, Stephanie told Cena that he wasn't 'special', something even his most ardent of critics can't dispute.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!