WWE: Is Time Running Out For John Cena?
Lingering Injuries.
PWinsider has reported that there have been talks within the company of Cena still suffering from shoulder and now neck injuries as well. The report goes on to state that, individuals are keeping an eye on him, and discussing the possibility of moving Cena to an acting role with the company.
Cena debuted in The WWE in 2002, when he answered an open challenge to everyone in the locker room from Kurt Angle on Smackdown. Although Cena ultimately lost the match to the veteran, he gained many fans and superstars respect for his efforts that night in the ring. The very next year, Cena went on to become The United States Champion, when he defeated The Big Show at WrestleMania 20.
Cena returned to WrestleMania the next year to face John Bradshaw Layfield in The Smackdown Brand main event for The WWE title. Cena won the match, marking the first World title reign of his career. Since then, Cena has gone on to main event WrestleMania five times, including twice with Dwayne The Rock Johnson. He has also gone on to become arguably the biggest star in The WWE since Hulk Hogan.
WWE In Trouble
If The WWE’s biggest star since Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin is really suffering from these several injures, what's the point of putting him in this main event match at Night of Champions against Brock Lesnar? You would think the company would begin to protect their decade long investment a bit more carefully, not throw him to a wolf like for the second time in just over a month.
Can Cena even afford to have his body be thrown around like he was last time at Summerslam? Lesnar has been known in recent years for tough and physical matches with his opponents, something that could put The Cenaton leaders career in great jeopardy come Night of Champions, if some precautions aren't take.
Cena already suffered a grueling defeat at the hands of Lesnar at Summerslam, just getting destroyed by the MMA star. After the bout, Cena had to be taken from the ring by stretcher, and even had to take a week to recover before returning to Monday Night Raw.
Give Cena a Break!
Night of Champions aside, how should WWE protect their megastar in the future? It would certainly be a good idea to write Cena off of Television for awhile after Night of Champions, to give him some time to rest, and give WWE time to figure out what to do next with him.
Writing Cena off of television is certainly a possibility, given these new reports about his injuries, and Seth Rollins poised to cash in his Money In The Bank contract at any given moment. This idea wouldn't only be beneficial to Cena, but also for young stars like Rollins, Bray Wyatt, and Roman Reigns, who are looking to cement their names into the main event picture.
Hopefully after Night of Champions, the fourteen time World Champion will be used sparingly within the company before he is forced to hang up the boots for good. As much as The WWE probably wants to put Cena in more marquee matchups to keep tickets, pay per view buys, and merchandising as high as possible. The company also needs to now look at risk versus reward when booking Cena.
A New Role For Cena?
Maybe The WWE shouldn’t wait to start conserving Cena. Maybe instead of just throwing Cena into another feud or keeping him in the title picture , they should put him a General Manager role on Raw, that way he can still stay on television, and also be able to heal up a little in the process. Having Cena as General Manager would make for a interesting storyline, due to his controversial reactions from The WWE Universe. The fans would have something extra to complain about, with Cena running the show.
Honestly, how can you afford to lose a megastar like Cena? A man who has granted over 400 make a wishes to sick kids around the world. A man who has had the highest selling merchandise for much of the last decade. a man who has put his heart body and soul on the line for The WWE Universe You just cant, and thats why The WWE needs to take action now to prevent the loss of this megastar.