10 Times Outside Factors Totally Changed WWE WrestleMania

6. Advances In Human Evolution (WrestleMania XXIV)

SADAM Wrestlemania VII Speech
WWE.com

John Cena is, or was, a cyborg.

Defying modern medicine - in the era of the Wellness Policy, can you believe it?! - John Cena rehabilitated his torn-apart pectoral muscle within four months. Doctors had advised him that the process would take between seven months to a year. Cena, however, was an absolute freak in both his physical make-up and his mental determination to work tirelessly for the WWE cause.

He took the idea of being WWE's Ace with the utmost seriousness - if only he'd reflected this more often in his promos, instead of dissing those he probably should have built up as credible challengers - and this manifested as an unprecedented drive. Back to work! Those guys aren't gonna bury themselves!

His return, at the 2008 Royal Rumble pay-per-view, altered plans for the upcoming WrestleMania XXIV pay-per-view. Now, the title of this article specifically states 'Totally Changed'. We are aware of this. Things didn't "totally change" - Cena was merely tacked on to the mooted Triple H Vs. Randy Orton singles match - but any remotely fresh tweak on that Unholy Trinity of 2007-2008 felt like the dawn of a new f*cking era.

This also renders the events of WrestleMania 25 even more morbidly hilarious. WWE in effect "saved" the singles match for a further year, as if it had to be done.

As if another year of anticipation was the way to really put it over the top.

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!