10 Wrestlers Whose WWE Careers Were Derailed By John Cena

8. Umaga

John Cena Zack Ryder 2011
WWE.com

One of the first wrestlers to have their career irreparably damaged by John Cena’s booking, Umaga debuted as one of the scariest guys in WWE. A real force of nature, the brutal Samoan actually took a victory over Cena during a fruitful 2006 run that also brought him wins against Shawn Michaels and Triple H.

Cena got his win back at 2007’s New Year’s Revolution PPV via roll-up, but that was only the beginning. Umaga’s downfall really kicked into gear at the Royal Rumble three weeks later, when a kayfabe-injured Cena defeated Umaga in a Last Man Standing match.

That was the end of Umaga as a credible threat. He quickly sunk to Intercontinental Title level, and never re-emerged as a legitimate threat or headliner.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.