5 Superstars who were bullied before making it big in WWE 

Childhood can be the happiest time in a person's life. No bills, no responsibilities. No worrying about jobs, mortgages or pension plans, just childlike innocence. But for some, childhood is not all fun, as bullying can often emotionally scar someone for months, and even years to come.

And even worse, bullying can happen even at adulthood, as plenty of people feel trapped without anywhere else to turn. Even WWE Superstars, who are shown every week to be strong, confident, powerful individuals, have been the victims of bullying.

Some of these Superstars were able to stand up against those who hurt them, though many were forced to just bear the brunt of it hoping that their bully would eventually get tired of it. Here are five WWE Superstars who were bullied before making it big in the McMahon-ran promotion.

---

#5 Sheamus

Sheamus has held nearly every accolade in WWE since debuting on the main roster in 2009.

A former WWE, United States, and Tag Team Champion, Sheamus is regarded by many as one of the toughest Superstars in WWE today. As one of just two men to be King of the Ring, Mr. Money in the Bank and a Royal Rumble winner (the other being Edge), the Celtic Warrior certainly knows how to handle himself in a brawl.

Despite this, the Irishman has said how he was mercilessly bullied as a child due to weight problems, his pale skin and red hair. The Bar member has even spoken on the long-term effects of the bullying he received, which led to the young Sheamus dealing with bouts of depression. Fortunately, Sheamus has been able to prove the bullies wrong, and has worked closely with WWE's Be A Star campaign.

#4 The Miz

The Miz is a former Intercontinental, Tag Team, United States and WWE World Champion.

Though the majority of the Superstars on this list were bullied during their youth, The Miz is a much different case. Joining the WWE in 2004, many Superstars felt the former reality TV star didn't belong in the company and targetted him to drive Miz out of wrestling.

The bullying campaign against him was apparently led by Chris Benoit, but taken to another level by JBL who loved to haze him and bully him in front of the camera and in real life as well. After spilling crumbs on a Superstar's bag, The Miz was kicked out of the locker-room for six months, and was forced to change in any private spot.

Undeterred though, The Miz continued to move forward, becoming WWE Champion in 2010 and proving himself in front od everyone who had doubted him wrong.

#3 Natalya

The former Divas and SmackDown Women's Champion was bullied due to her voice as a child.

Debuting on the WWE's main roster in 2008, Natalya Neidhart has been one of the longest tenuring women in the company's history. A former Divas and SmackDown Women's Champion, the third-generation Superstar was born into wrestling royalty, as the daughter of Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart and granddaughter of Stu Hart.

This pedigree did not stop the Canadian star being bullied during her youth though, which left long-term negative effects on the future Total Divas star. According to Natalya herself, she had a raspy voice and other children would bully her for it, as she'd also get bullied in her high-school/college days as well for her weight and voice. Like many Superstars on this list, Natalya has worked closely with WWE's Be A Star campaign, promoting an anti-bullying message to schools around the world.

#2 Kofi Kingston

Kingston captured the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 this year.

In 2019, Kofi Kingston is riding high as one-third of the New Day, as well as the WWE Champion. But before Kofi was the top star on SmackDown Live, before he had even made it in WWE, the future champion was bullied at school. Speaking to CyberSmile before he hosted WrestleMania 33 with Xavier Woods and Big E, Kofi said how he was often bullied because of his name.

"I was bullied over several things when I was younger," said Kingston. "I specifically remember being bullied over my name, to the point where I would go home upset my parents hadn't named me 'Joey'."

Kingston was able to push past all this, and has become a beacon of positivity in the New Day. The Ghanian Superstar is now showing the world what happens when you believe in yourself.

#1 John Cena

Cena is one of wrestling's biggest ever stars and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.

John Cena. Some love him, some hate him, but there's no denying the 16-time World Champion's truly incredible success. Winning his first WWE championship in 2005, Cena has since become one of wrestling's biggest stars, with his name carrying similar weight to Hulk Hogan, The Rock and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Before all of this though, Cena was bullied during his youth, as he explained to the Huffington Post:

"I really never socially matched that well with kids as an adolescent or early teenager," he said. "Never once did I waver or try to conform like a group philosophy."

Cena has overcome all of this negativity though and has since become one of wrestling's biggest stars. Though he still receives negativity by some fans on social media, Big Match John has personified 'Rise Above Hate'.