Alex Riley Says Issues With John Cena 'Changed His Career'

On May 6, 2016, Alex Riley was released from his WWE contract. Signed in 2007, Riley at one point looked like he would become a surefire success in the promotion. Aligned with The Miz during the original NXT show, the man's preppy gimmick, confidence on the microphone and solid in-ring skills should have combined to take him up the company ladder.

Things didn't pan out that way, Riley was demoted time and time again before being canned last Summer. Since then, the former FCW Heavyweight Champion has hinted in various interviews that John Cena was largely behind his exit from WWE.

Appearing on The Ross Report, Riley told WWE Hall Of Fame announcer Jim Ross that even speaking about what happened makes him emotional. Without going into much detail, Alex claimed he will someday open up fully on a backstage incident between Cena and himself that "changed the path of his career".

Almost contradicting himself, Riley also said he struggled with the morality of telling others about the altercation. Signing off on the subject, he told Ross, "you don't want to know, it was a tough situation".

Riley must know that his words only add intrigue, it seems whatever he has to say would ruffle feathers in WWE.