10 Wrestlers Whose WWE Careers Were Derailed By John Cena

4. Ryback

John Cena Zack Ryder 2011
WWE.com

For all the criticism levied towards Ryback’s knock-off Goldberg character and plodding in-ring style, the former Skip Sheffield built a tonne of momentum between 2012 and 2013. From flattening hapless local workers to finishing second in the 2013 Royal Rumble, Ryback feuded with CM Punk, wrestled a handful of PPV main events, and even became embroiled in The Shield’s famous debut.

Things went south with a jarring heel turn later that year, and while Ryback saw plenty of offence throughout the ensuing feud with Cena, but ate a decisive Three Stages of Hell loss to the WWE Champion at Payback.

A flawed wrestler who now looks to be on his way out of WWE for good, Ryback probably wasn’t built for World Title glory, but his clashes with John Cena turned him from a force to a borderline joke.

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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.