10 Wrestlers Who Couldn't Stand Being Hated

5. John Cena

Ronda Rousey Boo
WWE

There's a reason why John Cena refused to turn heel during his peak run.

Well, there are multiple reasons. WWE raked in truckloads of cash on merch sales (JC launched a t-shirt in practically every colour imaginable), and Cena himself would've enjoyed the spoils of that success. Also, the idea of turning his back on young children became something he loathed.

John, who deserves all the praise in the world for his Make A Wish contributions, recognised the value of being a hero to youngsters. He wanted to give them someone to look up to, and that's why he wouldn't return to his bad boy rapper guise despite intense pressure from all corners of the wrestling world.

Instead, Cena gritted his teeth and WWE explained away booing as him being "the most polarising figure in history". The truth is that JC neither wanted to play heel, be hated or turn his back on young fans who idolised his "Never Give Up" mantra.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.