John Cena has become the most decorated WWE star in history, but he might not have got the chance without The Undertaker.
Cena is preparing for his final WWE match, which will end his history-making retirement tour that has run through 2025.
The star became a record-setting 17-time champion in 2025, and also faced old rivals Randy Orton and CM Punk.
The star’s glittering 23-year career was kickstarted by ‘mistake’ according to Cena, and he has The Undertaker to thank for it.
John Cena made WWE debut against Kurt Angle due to The Undertaker’s illness
Cena’s big break came on WWE SmackDown in 2002 when he answered Kurt Angle’s open challenge and took the Olympic Gold Medalist to his limit.
The future WWE icon uttering: “Ruthless aggression!” before attacking Angle has gone down in WWE folklore.
Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the 17-time champion revealed his debut WWE match came by chance.
“I’ve always just been that guy,” revealed Cena. “That clip you saw [of his debut match against Kurt Angle in 2002] was by mistake. The Undertaker was sick. No kidding!”
Cena’s big break not only allowed him to introduce himself to WWE audiences, but it also proved he could hang with some of the best in the company.
Without The Undertaker’s illness, who knows if Cena would have gone on to become a 17-time World Champion.
John Cena was nearly fired by WWE in his early career
Cena desperately needed his big break from Angle as he struggled to prove himself after graduating from OVW, alongside Orton and Batista.
Speaking on the A&E’s WWE Rivals, Cena said: “Everybody had their reservations about me. Nobody liked me.”
The star was actually told he would be getting his release, but somehow managed to work his way to the top of the company.
“The WWE used to make a series of cuts around late November called Christmas cuts,” explained Cena. “I was told I would be getting my release in Christmas cuts.”
After making his debut in 2002, it took Cena just three years to win his first World Championship in the company.