10 Shining Lights In WWE’s Darkest Hours
7. John Cena (2007)
Though the company was in rude financial health when the Chris Benoit double-murder suicide turned up media hostilities to early-1990s levels, the supposedly squeaky clean brand was undeniably stained by the story and the far-reaching ramifications that sprung from it.
Headline-grabbing drug testing sent careers swirling quicker than the PED's performers were presumably flushing down hotel toilets, leaving few stars reliably placed to push in the wake of such rampant scandal and inherent vice.
John Cena - perhaps more than any time in his lengthy career atop the promotion - was the hero Vince McMahon needed. Retaining his remarkable physique without failing the litany of tests being dished out to the talent, 'The Champ' continued his remarkable run as an in-ring general, carrying Bobby Lashley to his best match by a f*cking mile whilst carrying on his impressive (and then-record setting) run as WWE Champion against every challenger.
A leader in every sense, Cena was yet to be coined 'Big Match John' by a simpering JBL, but earned the nickname years before he'd get it when the company required a star of his aura more than ever.