Alternate Version of Content
John Cena is set to conclude his lengthy wrestling career during this weekend’s Saturday Night Main Event, wrapping up his "Last Time Is Now" tour, which has included 36 matches over the past year. During this time, Cena has solidified his legacy in WWE history by capturing a record-breaking 17th World Championship, becoming a Grand Slam Champion with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship, and defeating both longtime and new foes. However, the brevity of this tour raises questions about what might have transpired if he had more time in the ring.
Cena recently hinted in an interview that he aims to play in 220 matches, a stark contrast to his current limited appearances. This opens the door to numerous missed opportunities that could have emerged from just half of the 184 dates WWE cut. Alongside his championship success, Cena also made a controversial heel turn that didn’t resonate with fans and was short-lived after WrestleMania. It’s uncertain how a longer run might have altered this narrative.
John Cena’s Heel Turn
Like in real life, it’s likely Cena would have been eliminated early from the Royal Rumble before Jey Uso’s big moment. He would then declare himself for the Elimination Chamber match, which he would go on to win, teaming up with The Rock and Travis Scott against WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Although The Rock was set to miss these events, more dates could have provided a chance for Cena to build up the reasoning behind his character shift, engaging with The Bloodline and enhancing his rivalry with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
By spending additional time with Orton and Rhodes, Cena could have both gathered more momentum and depth for his heel turn, aligning himself more closely with his new character. This setup might lead to a different match outcome at WrestleMania, with Cena defeating Rhodes in an unexpected twist using cunning tactics.
The Genesis of "Never Seen 17"
Following his championship victory, Cena faced an attack from Orton on “WWE Raw,” igniting a feud that did not fully materialize in the original timeline. In a hypothetical situation, Orton could have returned with a more engaging storyline, cultivating audience support and increasing intensity in their feud. If additional matches were scheduled, Cena could have further elucidated his reason for being a face-turned-heel, influencing his interactions with both Truth and Logan Paul.
CM Punk’s Enhanced Narrative
With Money in the Bank concluded, Cena would gear up for his next chapter against CM Punk at Champions Night in Saudi Arabia. Cena might push Punk into a narrative showcasing Punk’s own flaws and ambitions, allowing for deeper storylines and interactions leading to their match. This additional time for story development could have set Cena on a path to reclaim his babyface persona through his actions, culminating in a vibrant showdown with Rhodes.
Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa
Later, Cena could adopt a more traditional babyface role by teaming with Sami Zayn in a rivalry against Sikoa. Their victories would set up further intriguing plotlines, particularly leading to a showdown against Brock Lesnar. More time could allow Cena and Heyman to craft a better storyline leading up to Wrestlepalooza, shifting Cena further into a winning position against Lesnar.
A Prolonged Intercontinental Championship Pursuit
Almost a month after defeating Styles, Cena returned to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship, a victory that felt hasty due to a lack of time on the calendar. However, if Cena had a few more weeks, he could have woven deeper narratives involving Judgment Day and his rivals before claiming the title, making his win more rewarding. Extended interactions could enhance the credibility of his title reign and provide room for more engaging storylines in future matches.
In summary, a longer farewell tour could have amplified John Cena’s legacy, allowing for more nuanced character developments and rivalries reflecting his status as a WWE icon.
Fan Take
This news is significant for wrestling fans as it showcases the transformative power of storytelling and character development in the sport. A longer retirement run would not only offer closure for Cena’s fans but also elevate the art of wrestling through richer narratives and deeper rivalries.
