Former WWE General Manager Teddy Long recently challenged the widespread opinion that John Cena ranks among wrestling’s greatest performers. During an appearance on The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis and Bill Apter, Long claimed WWE intentionally positioned Cena as Hulk Hogan’s successor.
Long acknowledged Cena’s personal qualities but firmly disagreed with his status in wrestling history.
John Cena great guy. Nice guy and in conversations. But in my opinion, I don’t think he’s the greatest of all time.
The WWE Hall of Famer expanded on his perspective, arguing that Cena’s elevated status stemmed primarily from WWE’s deliberate push rather than organic development. He described how the company needed a new franchise player after Hogan’s departure.
They were trying to make him the next Hulk Hogan. That’s my opinion, alright? Because, Hogan was gone, and they needed another Franchise player. I thought that Cena was picked for that position. So they just pushed him and pushed him down people’s throats. That’s what I mean about I just don’t think he’s not the greatest of all time. They did that, he didn’t. His work has certainly improved, he does great stuff in the ring, he does great interviews and all, that but greatest of all time, I can’t see it.
While Long acknowledged improvements in Cena’s in-ring performances and promo abilities, he maintained that these qualities don’t elevate him to the greatest of all time status that many fans and industry figures have bestowed upon him.