Years after the groundbreaking WWE faction Nexus shook the wrestling world, fans have eagerly awaited an official documentary chronicling their meteoric rise. Now, David Otunga an original Nexus member has lifted the veil on why this much-anticipated project mysteriously disappeared from WWE’s lineup.
The Completed Documentary That Never Saw the Light of Day
On the Muscle Memory podcast, Otunga confirmed that the Nexus documentary was indeed produced in full. “Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. We filmed it and everything,” he said, clarifying that the documentary was completed but abruptly shelved soon after[1]. Otunga explained the timing coincided with a wave of WWE layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the documentary’s producer was among those let go shortly after finishing the project, effectively halting any momentum behind its release.
Otunga recalled a conversation with the producer right before the mass firings:
“He was like, ‘Yo, the documentary was so good. It was long, but we had to, they made us edit it down…My interview was so good, they were saving me for last… I was the main event of the documentary, if you will.’”[1]
The fact that the documentary was completed and praised by its creators makes the lack of release all the more puzzling for fans and insiders alike.
The Shadow of Politics: John Cena’s Alleged Influence
Otunga hinted that politics within WWE’s backstage hierarchy might have played a significant role in the documentary’s shelving. Specifically, he suggested that John Cena, WWE’s top star at the time of Nexus’ run, could have been involved in blocking its release[1][6]. While Otunga refrained from naming explicit details, sources close to WWE backstage have speculated Cena’s influence stems from his complex relationship with the Nexus faction, recalling heated moments between Cena and the group during their feud.
A WWE insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared:
“Nexus challenged Cena’s dominance during a pivotal era, and there was some lingering tension. It wouldn’t be surprising if concerns over how the doc portrayed Cena led to corporate hesitancy.”[6]
This aligns with reports that Cena’s backstage clout sometimes extended beyond in-ring booking to creative decisions, which might have included limiting content that didn’t shine him in a positive light.
Nexus: A Faction That Changed WWE’s Landscape
The Nexus faction formed in 2010 after a brutal invasion-style debut, instantly disrupting WWE’s status quo. Composed of rookies from the first season of NXT, including Otunga, Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Michael Tarver, and others, Nexus portrayed a formidable force aimed squarely at WWE’s top stars. Their raw, anarchic style and aggressive storytelling created some of the most memorable moments of the decade.
Otunga reminisced about the energy of the faction and the impact they left:
“We weren’t just some run-of-the-mill group. We had a purpose, and the fans felt it.”[3]
Despite their popularity, the faction’s internal booking and conflicts with main-event talent—like Cena—led to an uneven follow-through behind the scenes.
What the Documentary Could Have Revealed
Fans have long hoped that a Nexus documentary would provide an unfiltered look at the faction’s formation, rise, and eventual decline—a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes revelations. Given Otunga’s praise of his own contribution and the producer’s positive feedback, it’s clear the documentary featured in-depth interviews and detailed storytelling.
The documentary likely would have explored:
- The origins of Nexus and the NXT talent pool
- The faction’s biggest storylines, including their high-profile clashes with Cena and Randy Orton
- Behind-the-scenes dynamics between members and WWE management
- The real impact of Nexus on WWE’s creative direction at the time
One source familiar with the project revealed:
“There were clips and interviews that showed sides of WWE’s locker room politics rarely discussed publicly.”[1]
Without an official release, fans are left to speculate about the full scope of what the documentary contained.
COVID-19 and WWE Layoffs: The Final Nail
Beyond backstage politics, the external factor of WWE’s pandemic-related restructuring also contributed to the documentary’s demise. Otunga described how the production team was dismantled almost immediately after finishing the project due to company-wide cuts during COVID-19[1].
This timing was unfortunate, as many WWE creative projects were either postponed or scrapped entirely during this period to consolidate resources.
David Otunga’s Perspective and Current Career
Since leaving WWE’s full-time roster, Otunga has carved out a successful career as a legal analyst, actor, and commentator, blending his Harvard law background with his wrestling experience[2][7]. He remains proud of his Nexus tenure and openly discusses the legacy of the group.
Otunga actively shares insights into the wrestling world through his podcasts and interviews, keeping Nexus’ memory alive among fans and industry insiders. He continues to advocate for transparency in wrestling storytelling and promises that one day, the Nexus documentary might still emerge.
Final Thoughts
The mystery behind the Nexus documentary’s disappearance revolves around a mixture of unfortunate timing, corporate layoffs, and possible political interference from powerful WWE figures like John Cena. David Otunga’s insider perspective offers the closest glimpse fans have had into this lost piece of wrestling history, affirming the documentary exists but faced critical barriers to release.
As WWE continues to explore archival content and documentaries, the story of Nexus remains one of the most compelling “what-ifs” in sports entertainment.