Damien Sandow
One of the greatest examples of Cena burying a young up-and-comer was when he thwarted Damien Sandow’s Money in the Bank cash-in attempt. Sandow had already established himself as one of the most versatile performers on the WWE roster at that point, but had failed to really get rolling as a serious singles performer. When he got his hands on the Money in the Bank briefcase, it seemed like things were about to turn around for him but…well…John Cena happened.
Cena won the World Heavyweight Championship from Alberto Del Rio at Hell in a Cell, and came out working an arm injury the next night on RAW. Sandow would ambush him with his briefcase and then with a chair and, after a prolonged beatdown, Cena would overcome the odds (shocker, right?) and beat Sandow, literally one-handed.
That completely neutered Sandow as a singles wrestler, and started him down his path to ruin.
Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt is one of the most enigmatic, unique characters in the WWE today. Unfortunately, the man never, ever wins real rivalries. Sure, he recently beat up the geriatric Team ECW, but usually he’ll get one over on an opponent before being absolutely buried in the aftermath. That started with John Cena. The Wyatt Family became one of the hottest acts in the WWE when they beat The Shield at Elimination Chamber 2014, and that pushed Bray’s stock to an all-time high.
That gave Bray’s match with John Cena at WrestleMania XXX a special feel to it…at the time. Looking back on it, though, it was a turning point for his career. He would lose to Cena, even despite interference from Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, would lose to Cena, and his place in the midcard was sealed from there.
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