Former IC Champion wanted to replace John Cena as WWE's top star

John Cena was WWE's top full-time star for more than a decade before reducing his in-ring schedule in 2015 to focus on acting. In a recent video, Ryback recalled how he wanted to replace the 16-time world champion to become the company's marquee name.

Ryback left WWE in 2016 after rejecting a new contract. The highlight of the former Intercontinental Champion's WWE run came in 2012 and 2013 when he appeared in main-event storylines with CM Punk and Cena.

On his Ryback TV YouTube channel, The Big Guy said Cena once visited WWE's up-and-coming talents in the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental system. The wrestler-turned-actor encouraged the next generation to step up and take his position on the card.

"WWE sent John Cena down to come down and talk to a big group of us, and essentially issue us a challenge and challenge one of us to come up and take his spot," Ryback said. "You see, I took that personal, and from that point forward I made it my number one goal to go up there and to take John Cena's spot and become the face of the WWE." [0:17 – 0:40]

Ryback initially appeared on WWE television as a Tough Enough contestant in 2004. After several years in developmental, the powerhouse superstar debuted on the main roster as Nexus member Skip Sheffield in 2010. He underwent a character change in 2012, returning under the name Ryback after a lengthy injury.

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Ryback's thoughts on John Cena as a wrestler

In 2013, Ryback turned heel and feuded with John Cena. Their first major one-on-one bout ended in a no-contest at Extreme Rules 2013. A month later, Cena picked up the win in a Three Stages of Hell match at Payback 2013 to retain the WWE Championship.

Although Ryback did not always get along with his on-screen rival in real life, he respected the five-time WrestleMania main-eventer's in-ring ability:

"I actually really enjoyed wrestling John Cena. And, to John's credit, despite anything going on behind the scenes or personal differences, he always gave 100 percent in the ring, and I felt like he was always about putting on the best performance possible any given night." [1:00 – 1:17]

In a separate video, Ryback explained why he never wants to talk to WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon again.

What do you make of the way Ryback was booked in WWE? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Please credit Ryback TV and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.