10 Wrestling Storylines That Started Hot But Ended Terribly
4. The Nexus
The Nexus were the hottest thing in wrestling for a very short period of time. Their debut was absolutely stunning, with the Wade Barrett-led group literally destroying ringside and everyone around it. John Cena, CM Punk, the ring crew: they were all left battered and broken, and the destructive scene closed Raw on a stark note.
The group ran roughshod through the company, destroying lower-carders and main eventers alike on their quest for full-time WWE contracts. This ultimately led to a seven-on-seven showdown with a Cena-led Team WWE at SummerSlam 2010, and one of the most spectacular burials of the 16-time World Champion's career.
The bout boiled down to John vs. Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett. Super Cena donned his cape, took to the skies, and defeated the surviving Nexus members within a few seconds of each other. It was a terrible booking decision, and completely killed the group's credibility. A win would've sent them over the top, but losing in such a manner nullified their threat, and sent them on a path to nowhere.
Barrett's rivalry with Cena continued, and ended with a literal burial (beneath a pile of chairs) at TLC 2010. That was the end of any hope he ever had of becoming a legitimate main eventer, but the slide began with the Nexus' unnecessary derailment.