"I wouldn't put the title on him" - WWE Hall of Famer explains why John Cena must not become a 17-time world champion
Following John Cena's announcement that he'll retire from WWE next year, many fans want him to win another world title and break the record for most titles won. However, wrestling legend Booker T doesn't think it should happen.
The Cenation Leader defeated AJ Styles to win his 16th world title at the 2017 Royal Rumble, officially tying Ric Flair's long-standing record. After he revealed at Money in the Bank that 2025 will be his last year competing in WWE, many fans have called for him to win one more world championship during his Farewell Tour.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T stated that he doesn't think John Cena should become a 17-time world champion because he won't be able to defend the title regularly. It would make him a part-time champion.
"I wouldn't put the title on him just because it's the farewell tour of John Cena. That's not what I look at when I think about wrestling. Nah, I wouldn't do it because if you put it on him, he's going to have to defend it. He's going to have to go out and perform, he's going to have to perform on a regular basis, and for John to be a part-timer, like something he said he would never be, never wanted to do when The Rock was doing it. Nah, it would be kind of hypocritical, for me. Nah, I don't see that happening," said Booker. [48:20-48:50]
Booker T reflects on his last interaction with John Cena
The Cenation Leader and the five-time WCW World Champion have shared the ring multiple times in WWE. They even had a Best of Five Series for the United States Title.
During the podcast, Booker T recalled the last time he met John Cena and what they said to each other.
"To go out on his way, his own terms is awesome, man; it really truly is. When I heard the news, I just wanted to say congratulations to John Cena. Last time I saw John, it was at the PC not too long ago, maybe six months. We ran into each other, and I was like, 'Shakespeare, what's going on?' We just kept walking past each other, and we got maybe, I don't know, 10 yards, and he goes, 'Hey, Book!' And I turned around, and he goes, 'How are you doing, man?' I go, 'I'm doing all right, John, how you doing?' But it was just that moment for a second, he had to stop and ask me how I was doing," said Booker. [45:00-45:45]
It'll be interesting to see whether John Cena will be the one to break Ric Flair's record.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit the Hall of Fame podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.