Fifteen years after one of the most talked-about main events in WWE history, former Nexus member David Otunga has opened up about the backstage drama surrounding the group’s infamous 7-on-7 elimination match against Team WWE at SummerSlam 2010. In a candid interview with the Muscle Memory podcast, Otunga revealed that the finish of the match was changed at the last minute, a decision that many believe derailed the momentum of The Nexus and altered the trajectory of WWE’s creative direction for years to come.
The Nexus: WWE’s Most Disruptive Faction
The Nexus burst onto the WWE scene in the summer of 2010, a group of NXT rookies led by Wade Barrett who stormed the main roster and immediately began causing chaos. Their debut at the 2010 Raw following the first season of NXT was a shock to the system, as they attacked John Cena and left the WWE Universe buzzing with anticipation. For weeks, The Nexus dominated storylines, and fans were eager to see if this new faction could truly take over the company.
By the time SummerSlam rolled around, The Nexus had become the hottest act in WWE. Their feud with John Cena, the face of the company, was at its peak, and the stage was set for a showdown that could have changed the landscape of WWE for years.
The Original Plan: Nexus Victory
According to Otunga, the original plan for the SummerSlam main event was for The Nexus to emerge victorious. “We were told all day that we were going to win,” Otunga said. “We went over the match multiple times, and the finish was set. We were supposed to beat Team WWE and solidify ourselves as the dominant force in WWE.”
The idea was to have The Nexus win the 7-on-7 elimination match, a move that would have given the group instant credibility and set them up for a long-term run as the top heel faction in the company. “We were ready to take over,” Otunga added. “We believed in the group, and we believed in the story.”
The Last-Minute Change
However, as the event drew closer, things began to change. Otunga revealed that the finish was altered at the last minute, with the decision being made that John Cena would single-handedly defeat The Nexus and secure the win for Team WWE. “I found out not too long before we went out for the match,” Otunga said. “By the time we went over the match one last time, the finish had changed. None of us were happy about that.”
The reason for the change, according to Otunga, was a combination of factors. “One rumor floating around was that Vince [McMahon] decided he wanted to send the people home happy,” Otunga explained. “But also, The Nexus was Vince’s creation, his baby. We were his pack of wild dogs out there. And we know Cena asked to go over or however that went. This is not a rumor. I was there. I lived this. I was tag partners with John Cena. Great guy. But we are telling you the truth.”
The Aftermath: Nexus Momentum Derailed
The decision to have Team WWE win the match had a significant impact on The Nexus. Instead of being the dominant force in WWE, the group lost all of its momentum in the months that followed. “After that, we never truly recovered,” Otunga said. “Replacing Wade Barrett with CM Punk gave us a small bit of energy, but the group slowly faded away.”
The loss at SummerSlam 2010 is widely regarded as the moment that The Nexus lost its chance to become one of WWE’s most memorable factions. “Hey, why do you think they never brought The Nexus back? Why do you think they never released the Nexus documentary? John Cena does have a lot of pull there,” Otunga added.
Backstage Tension and the Nexus Documentary
Otunga also admitted that there was awkward tension between The Nexus and John Cena following the match. “Always. Are you kidding me? Yeah, of course,” Otunga said when asked whether there was tension with Cena after the match. “We were supposed to win, and then the finish changed. It was hard to move past that.”
According to a WWE insider, the tension between The Nexus and Cena was palpable in the locker room. “There was a lot of frustration,” the insider revealed. “The Nexus felt like they were being held back, and Cena was seen as the reason for that. It created a divide that never really healed.”
The Nexus documentary, which was reportedly finished but scrapped, is another point of contention. Otunga believes that Cena’s influence played a role in the decision to not release the documentary. “John Cena does have a lot of pull there,” Otunga said. “Hey, why do you think they never brought The Nexus back? Why do you think they never released the Nexus documentary? John Cena does have a lot of pull there.”
Legacy and Impact
The Nexus may have been short-lived, but their impact on WWE is undeniable. The group’s debut and subsequent run are still remembered as one of the most disruptive and exciting moments in WWE history. However, the decision to change the finish of the SummerSlam 2010 match is a reminder of the power dynamics and backstage politics that can shape the direction of a company.
As Otunga reflects on the events of that night, he remains proud of what The Nexus accomplished. “We were ready to take over,” he said. “We believed in the group, and we believed in the story. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned.”
The legacy of The Nexus and the controversy surrounding the SummerSlam 2010 match will continue to be a topic of discussion among WWE fans for years to come.