Veteran star pushed to spotlight rising talent on major stage
Summary
– John Cena revealed he personally pitched the Judgment Day attack
– The idea first surfaced during a Saudi Arabia tag match
– Cena wanted each Judgment Day member to get a defining moment
John Cena recently pulled back the curtain on one of the most shocking moments of his later WWE run. Speaking on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? In a podcast with Cody Rhodes, Cena explained how the brutal Survivor Series attack involving Judgment Day came together.
According to Cena, the concept was entirely his own. He said the idea was first pitched during a tag team match where he and Seth Rollins were paired together in Saudi Arabia. Cena proposed that all four members of Judgment Day should take turns hitting their finishers on him and leave him laid out in the ring.
Cena explained that the goal was to ensure every member of Judgment Day received a clear spotlight. He wanted each wrestler to have time to be acknowledged by the crowd and walk away with a meaningful moment. Cena admitted there was internal hesitation, as some worried the angle could damage his image or send the wrong message.
Despite those concerns, Cena pushed hard for the segment. He believed moments like that were necessary to elevate newer stars and create lasting impressions. Cena said he was confident the execution would protect everyone involved while still benefiting Judgment Day.
The success of the initial angle led WWE to allow the concept to be revisited at Survivor Series. Cena said this gave Judgment Day another opportunity to shine in front of a massive audience and reinforced their presence as a dominant group.
Cena also connected the moment to how he approached his retirement. He noted that surrounding his final appearances with NXT talent was intentional and rooted in a promise to help the next generation. Cena emphasized that creating opportunities for others mattered more to him than protecting his own status.
The revelation further highlighted Cena’s long-standing reputation as a locker room leader. By prioritizing the growth of others, he aimed to leave WWE in a stronger position than when he first became its face.
