KEY POINTS

  • John Cena, Randy Orton and Batista started off together at Ohio Valley Wrestling
  • They made it to WWE's main roster in 2002
  • John Cena now is signed with WWE on a part-time deal

All Elite Wrestling talent Arn Anderson has revealed why World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) made John Cena the face of the company ahead of Randy Orton and Batista.

It is quite well known that John Cena, Randy Orton and Batista were at Ohio Valley Wrestling before they made it to WWE’s main roster in 2002. It was John Cena, who was the picked one to lead WWE’s promotions into the future, even though Randy Orton was considered to be a naturally-gifted wrestler and Batista was unstoppable at SmackDown.

Speaking on his podcast, Anderson revealed that John Cena got the green signal because there were no issues with him when it came to negotiations.

“But Cena you know, they finally decided he was going to be the guy because he wasn’t going anywhere. He wasn’t, you know. There was no negotiation [type] issues with him, he was going to be there as long as they wanted him to be there. And he ended up being the face of the company. Being a babyface and staying a babyface. Randy’s character took some trips back and forth. And Dave would go on and do some other things [in Hollywood]. So, You know, they decided on him [Cena],” Anderson further explained on his podcast.

John Cena was on SmackDown when he clinched his maiden WWE title at the WrestleMania 21. While Randy Orton and Batista moved to the Blue brand, John Cena was roped into WWE’s major show, Monday Night RAW. Over the next few years, John Cena turned into the biggest superstar of his WWE era. He was backed as the best babyface the company had back then and he remained so throughout his run.

John Cena
John Cena's last appearance was in January after which he has been busy with film commitments. In this picture, Cena performs during the 10th anniversary of WWE Tribute to the Troops at Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, Dec. 9, 2012. Kris Connor/Getty Images for WWE

At the Ohio Valley Wrestling, John Cena won the heavyweight championship and the title with a tag team. The 42-year-old wrestling superstar has so far won 16 championships. He won his 16th title in 2017 and equaled legendary Ric Flair’s long-standing world record of 16 WWE titles. John Cena, who has also won the Royal Rumble twice, is currently signed with the WWE on a part-time deal as he is usually busy with his Hollywood projects.

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