John Cena: 6 examples of the US champion elevating talent
Possibly the biggest name in sports-entertainment, John Cena has spent the better part of a decade as the face of the WWE. In this time, we’ve seen the Cenation leader answer the call of Kurt Angle in the name of ruthless agression, become a 15-time World Champion and now lose to the developmental champion.
On paper, it would read that Cena has climbed the mountain and was pushed right to the bottom in a record time. When you look at the finer details, you uncover so much more.
Firstly, NXT is no longer in a position to be considered the developmental territory of WWE, NXT is now the third brand. Secondly, this is the first John Cena feud in a few years with a “big fight” feel that doesn’t have a Lesnar, or an Orton stand opposing him at the other side of the ring. Kevin Owens was given a chance as NXT Champion and has taken that opportunity and ran right onto the main roster with it, sights set firmly on that ever elusive brass ring.
While the current feud between the US Champion and the NXT Champion is golden, one must remember that Cena’s history of feuding with emerging talent is often hit or miss. For every Kevin Owens, there is a Rusev. For every Bray Wyatt, there is a Daniel Bryan. For every Shield, there is a Nexus.
Let’s take a look at some of the superstars that Cena helped to reach that next level.
Edge
It would only be appropriate to go back to where it all began for John Cena and his lengthy stay at the top of the WWE. Although he was 280 days into his first WWE Championship reign, it wasn’t until the first ever Mr. Money in the Bank cashed in his opportunity and Edge took the title from Cena. This would lead to a feud that is argued to be one of the best ever, as both superstars gave everything in their quest to oust the other in some truly physical battles.
Although this feud served to cement John Cena’s main event status, it is also the first instance of Cena elevating the game of another superstar, as Edge rose up through the WWE alongside the Chain Gang Soldier and went on to win 11 World Titles before retiring shortly after Wrestlemania 27 due to an ongoing neck injury.
Sheamus
Sheamus barely had his foot in the door and already had John Cena through a table and the WWE Championship around his waist. It’s not very difficult to see why Sheamus was voted the Breakout Superstar of the Year at the 2009 edition of the Slammy Awards.
It only took 166 days since his WWE debut before Sheamus threw John Cena off the top turnbuckle and through a table to pick up his first WWE Championship. This was a huge step in the early stages of the career of Sheamus, as this victory gave strength to the belief of Sheamus being a viable contender for World Championships for many years to come.