10 WWE Wrestlers That Changed Everything
5. John Cena
When WWF changed into WWE in 2002, it didn't just shift its name, it started to morph into a far more censored product slowly. Although the Ruthless Aggression era where Cena would rise to prominence still had its moments, the gradual focus on lighter narratives and eventual transition into PG completely changed the industry.
John Cena became the corporate face of the company. His rise to stardom began with a sense of edge as he swore, was abrasive and was often willing to use violence, but eventually, as he became the leading man in the company, this shifted. Soon we got the clean-cut babyface persona that he would ultimately become known for.
If Hulk Hogan invented the traditional face hero role, then Cena tweaked it and brought it to a new level. His ability to shift merchandise and garner praise from the younger fans took the company into a completely new direction.
The shift to a more family-friendly product was the result of an awful tragedy - that being the Benoit murders - but Cena was there to become the literal embodiment of this new side of the business and thus really changed everything.