John Cena was recently interviewed by The Wrap in order to promote American Grit. During the interview Cena spoke about his reputation of burying younger talent in WWE.

Cena was originally asked about his verbal exchanges with the Miz leading up to their mixed tag team match at Wrestlemania 33.

“If you look at my existence in WWE, I have never asked anyone and will never ask anyone to pull any punches. I believe that it’s a ‘Strong Survive’ environment, and accept nothing less. I think people forget my [history] in WWE sometimes and the fact that I truly had to earn every inch. There is this overwhelming perception that I am protected and coddled — that couldn’t be father from the truth”

In regards to the storyline with the Miz, Cena says that he always gives his opponents free range to hit him as hard as they can (on the mic). He gives them that opportunity but lets them know that he is going to fire back.

On his reputation of burying talent:

“This is why I have the reputation of quote-unquote “burying younger talent,” because I will let them do whatever they want with me — and then after they get done, they’re not as motivated. So, it’s not that I sink their ship, it’s that they fail to operate at an elite level. And I’m on to the next person, [to] whom I say, “Hey man, bring your best punch and I’m gonna punch back” — and they don’t take that attitude beyond me”

He says that this approach he takes helped turn the storyline with the Miz from something nobody wanted to see into something special.

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You can check out the full interview here.