John Cena would go on to become one of wrestling’s biggest-ever stars, but he was nearly fired by WWE in 2003 thanks to Triple H.
Fans now know Cena was one of WWE’s most recognisable stars ever, but things were very close to not working out that way. The year after he debuted on WWE’s main roster, higher-ups were close to giving up on the future WWE Champion, but the risk to stick with him paid off.
As noted, Cena was close to not making it as a top star in WWE, as people with serious influence within the company wanted him gone.
Cena debuted on the main roster in 2002 during an episode of SmackDown in June, but he didn’t exactly get off to a flying start. Speaking to Soscia Network in 2012, Cena explained that Triple H and Vince McMahon both wanted him gone from the company shortly after his debut. When I was just wearing boots and tights and I was supposed to be the ruthless aggression young good guy, nobody in the company liked me.