10 Wrestlers Whose WWE Careers Were Derailed By John Cena

5. Zack Ryder

John Cena Zack Ryder 2011
WWE

Zack Ryder’s an excellent example who got himself over on his own merit. With his Internet Championship and “Z! True Long Island Stories” YouTube series, Ryder built-up a cult following among internet savvy fans, and became one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster from 2010 to 2012.

While Ryder never lost to Cena, his affiliation with former Doctor of Thuganomics dealt unquestionable damage to his career. Billed as Cena’s friend and thrown into his feud with Kane, Ryder was thrust into an underdog role that saw him beaten-up, battered, and humiliated on a near-weekly basis, before being almost completely removed from WWE television.

Torn from the spotlight and thrown back to the dark matches, Ryder’s personal brand was obliterated by his role as John Cena’s prop “ally”.

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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.