Ranking Who Was Really The Man In Wrestling Every Year 1990-2020

11. 2010 - John Cena

Austin Jericho
WWE.com

John Cena's programme with Batista drew comparatively strong business on B-level pay-per-view once it took prominence on the agenda after a fairly disappointing WrestleMania number.

The quality of his work fluctuated badly; one comical disaster of a finish and a mid quality to the aforementioned trilogy in general marred the delivery of an expected triumph of a spectacle, and his inelegant or selfish "work" in the Nexus feud ruined also what was a potential star vehicle. That aspect is arguably overplayed, but on the strictest principle of what an Ace figure should embody, Cena failed dismally.

Ultimately, the true measure of Cena's status as the Man was gauged by how his drawing power was considered so valuable that WWE couldn't afford, or at least bear, to sell a series of stipulations on television.

When 'Juan Cena' was considered too big a draw to not kill fan investment in a major canonical storyline, it's a point that is cathartic, but nonsensical, to argue.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!