Now that John Cena is inarguably one of the biggest superstars in wrestling history, it's difficult to view his rapid rise as anything other than meteoric. However, a considerable speedbump almost derailed his progress in November 2003 in the shape of creative team member (and former Fabulous Freebird) Michael Hayes. With a recently face-turned Cena winning the affection of crowds via his partnership with established favourite Chris Benoit, it seemed only a matter of time until he was pushed further up the card. Hayes pitched an idea involving Cena blindsiding the Rabid Wolverine following a tag victory over the Full Blooded Italians, theorising that it would portray him as an unpredictable loose-cannon in a similar vein to Steve Austin. The suggestion was roundly rejected by the SmackDown booking team, but Hayes took it to Vince McMahon anyway - falsely claiming that it had been approved by everybody. His idea was put into the show, Cena blasted Benoit with the FU, and it was met with universal confusion. It has since been theorised that Hayes' suggestion wasn't entirely in the best interests of Cena, and that the Raw-based writer was intentionally trying to slow the roll of a hot new SmackDown star. Whatever the real reason behind his decision, it's certainly a hiccup WWE would rather not have to admit happened.
