I actually miss seeing John Cena’s mug on Monday Night Raw. I miss the love-hate relationship with the fans. But most of all, when Cena is in the ring, as sad as it sounds, WWE seems whole again.
Also read: [Video] WWE Raw Results, 25 April, 2016, Full Show with Video Highlights
Since his arrival, the one thing we could all count on was his performance in the ring, regardless how you feel about him. Now, only time will tell.
According to a story on Forbes.com, Cena is just biding his time to make a triumphant return.
While doing promotional work for American Grit, Cena revealed that he’s simply “waiting” to get back in the ring, saying:
“I’m like a relief pitcher in the bullpen just waiting for that phone call. I’m ready to go, and I’m just waiting for the manager to ring the phone, and I’ll answer it. I’ll go throw on the old Superman outfit and show up where they need me to and do what they need me to do. As far as my condition, that’s where I’m at.”
And now, we all wait in anticipation.
What does the company do with Cena? WWE Payback is a pay-per-view dream with matches of quality and importance. The company seems to be in turmoil and there is a chance the ratings for this show could top that of WrestleMania 32 (there’s a new one for you – hint of sarcasm).
Honestly, a few things have to fall into place for Cena, who needs a solid opponent upon his return.
I’d like to see him in a program with Chris Jericho, but that is highly unlikely. It makes tons of sense, but because it is “logical” we all know it will not happen.
These names, however, as wrestlers who could get the call when Cena needs someone to dance with in the squared circle.
Roman Reigns
This makes the most sense, if a couple of things happen. The first is that Reigns must turn heel. The second is that this should happen if Seth Rollins’ injured knee is keeping him out of action until August or later.
Before Cena was injured, before he decided he needed time off to do reality television, the thought and plan by the creative team was to have Reigns work a program with Cena with the WWE World Title on the line. The fact Cena is challenging Ric Flair’s all-time record of 16 title runs would have made a perfect backdrop for this kind of confrontation.
Cena has been instrumental in working with younger talent of late, especially when he as the United States Champion. This kind of storyline would write itself.
Seth Rollins
Unfinished business? Possibly. There are so many good things that came out of the confrontation between the former company champion and Cena. It elevated Rollins to another level, and the three-match series between the two was epic, possibly the best feud of 2015.
Can the two create more magic in the ring?
What I loved about the feud was it was a similar page from the Cena-CM Punk wars. Each pay-per-view proved that each man got better. WWE must decide how they bring Rollins back from this injury. If he comes back a heel, then this program makes sense. If Rollins goes over Reigns and then has the WWE World Title, it makes even more sense.
Regardless of what happens, expect WWE to put the company strap around his waist some point soon after his return.
Undertaker
I’m not writing this one off yet.
As the match that never happened at WrestleMania 32, this could be a match for SummerSlam. With WWE’s roster returning to form, does Cena belong in the title picture? If so, Reigns and other superstars take precedence. If not, then he takes on a role of “fitting in”.
We also do not know if the match against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania was the last for the Dead Man. Personally, when I saw him take his gloves off and walk out of the cage in Dallas, I thought it was all but over.
‘Taker has alluded to that before and come back to wrestle.
If this does happen, it is more than likely the final match in Undertaker’s career and I could see it as a stipulation match. Regardless of the terms, this one needs to happen at some point. Legend vs. Legend.
Ryback
The Big Guy is not happy at all about his current position on the WWE totem pole and it figures he will either rise to the occasion or be buried by younger and better talent.
Ryback was very candid in his comments lately that he thought maybe it was time for him to leave the company that gave him his big break.
If he left, I don’t think anyone would notice, honestly.
This is a feud that Ryback needs more than Cena, but it makes perfect sense. Cena gives Ryback instant credibility. It makes him marketable. And most of all, it makes him a heel – something he is better suited for – than the cartoonish “Goldberg” wannabe he portrays night after night.
A feud like this could a prelude to a successful heel run for Ryback and in the process the veteran Cena puts him over.
Brock Lesnar
Same bat time. Same bat channel.
This one never grows old and given the fact Lesnar will be taking time off, his emergence from hibernation will be an anticipated event. There is always a place for the Beast and the Champ.
If WWE is not willing to give Lesnar a serious title run or a program with Roman Reigns, who is left to face him in the ring? There has been talk about Kevin Owens. I would like to see him work a program with Cesaro or Samoa Joe when he is eventually called up to the main roster. Right now, however, he is in the same spot as Cena – a wrestler without a place.
A date at SummerSlam might make perfect sense and it would sell plenty of tickets for the company.
