10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Feb 10)
4. Kurt Angle Was Told To 'Embarrass' John Cena
WWE will replay clips of a fired up (yet undoubtedly green) John Cena making his debut against Kurt Angle on the June 27, 2002 episode of SmackDown until the end of time. Uttering the 'Ruthless Aggression' catchphrase Vince McMahon had first aired on Raw days earlier, the rookie then impressed against the more established Angle.
Preparing for his segment backstage, WWE's resident Olympic Gold Medal winner was outright told to embarrass Cena and see if he had what it took to last on the main roster. This is a story Kurt told to RF Video during a recent shoot interview taped for the group's 'Reflections' series.
Cena obviously had the right stuff; the man's longevity on the main roster is proof positive that he did something right against Angle that day.
WWE's power players telling a top star that he must make an example of the newcomer shows the promotion's mindset back in 2002. Angle was there to take Cena out of his comfort zone in order to determine whether the fresh face would either sink or swim.