John Cena
John Cena is more focused on his charitable and film commitments at the moment with WWE taking on a part-time role. In this picture, Cena accepts the 'SI Muhammad Ali Legacy Award' onstage at Sports Illustrated 2018 Sportsperson of the Year Awards Show at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Dec. 11, 2018. Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

John Cena can be considered among the greatest wrestlers in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) alongside the greats such as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin among a few others.

The 41-year-old pro-wrestler is a 16-time world champion but is no longer a full-time participant in WWE as he juggles his successful film career, along with his commitments in the ring.

Cena has not been seen inside a ring in quite a while but is expected to make a comeback in the live events later this month. He is easily among the most followed and recognizable faces of the WWE and commands star power like a few before him.

Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley, who is well known for his feats in the tag-team division, believes Cena will be the last of his kind with the chairman of WWE Vince McMahon determined not to give one individual the power to sway the sports entertainment franchise.

Cena emulated the successes and the popularity held by stars such as Dwayne Johnson popularly known as ‘The Rock’ and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who could do as they please during their stint in WWE. Johnson who became popular through wrestling went on to become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.

While Steve Austin did not fare as well in films, he continues to be one of the most revered wrestlers by the WWE Universe and was known to brandish his own brand of hell during his heydays. Similarly, Cena is also a popular figure and can control his appearances in the show owing to his star power.

The 16-time WWE champion was scheduled to appear at the company’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia recently but pulled out of it at last minute and Dudley believes that McMahon will be keen to avoid a single wrestle gaining so much popularity that they have more power than most of the WWE hierarchy.

"Seth Rollins has done it all and can do it all. But how come Seth Rollins is not at Cena level? How come he's not at Rock level? How come he's not at Austin level?" Dudley told the Jim Ross Report, as transcribed by the Mirror. "It's because I don't think they will ever allow anyone to get to that level again.

"Okay, so those three guys in their own way do what they wanted to do without Vince's approval. Steve was able to walk out and still come back and have a job. Rocky was able to walk away and become the biggest star in Hollywood. And John, my God! He just won the Muhammad Ali Award,” he explained referring to Cena recently being awarded the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"He [has] granted more wishes than anybody on the planet. I mean, he walks on water when it comes to the WWE. And he was able to tell Vince, 'I'm not [going to Saudi Arabia].' I don't think they're ever going to let anybody get to that level again where they have control or say,” he added.

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