5 reasons John Cena is washed up and 5 reasons why he's still 'Big Match' John

John Cena's list of accolades in the WWE goes on and on.

Sixteen-time world champion, Grand slam champion and more PPV main events than any other wrestler. He often refers to himself as the 'measuring stick' of the WWE, and it's not hard to see why.

Cena combines a mix of white-bread babyface goodness and mass market appeal while still managing to be utterly un-ironic about the whole thing. That's hard to do in any era, let alone 2018.

But he seems to be moving down the card, feuding with perennial mid-carders like the Miz rather than taking a spot in the main event. Is John Cena washed up, or is there still something left in the tank? Here are five reasons why he might be done, and five that he can still go with the best of them.

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Washed up: Hasn't held a major belt in over a year

John Cena

Let's start with the most obvious fact; John Cena hasn't been in the main event picture since February of 2017, and his last world title reign lasted only a little more than two weeks.

Even though Cena has held lesser titles since he has definitely shifted down from the main event. It's hard to be Big Match John when you're feuding with lower-tier talent.

Still going strong: He can still be a top draw

The Rock struggles to escape the STFU

Even if John Cena hasn't been in the main event much since 2016, he is still a very recognizable, marketable piece of talent.

John Cena may be a polarizing figure, but he still has legions of rabid fans who will cheer for him whether he's in the main event or the opening bout. His ability to sell tickets and PPV buys sets him apart from men who are higher on the card and proves that he still has a lot to offer in the WWE.

Washed up: The time of muscle-bound behemoths is over

John Cena in his bodybuilding days

There's no doubt about it; John Cena's jacked physique is one of the main attributes that has catapulted him to stardom.

That being said, the days of gigantic men lumbering around the ring and bashing into each other is drawing to a close. Big men will always have a place in wrestling, but smaller, more agile athletes can put on a much better match. Men like AJ Styles, Tye Dillinger, and Johnny Gargano are the future--while men like Cena are the fast-fading past.

Still going strong: Trains harder than men half his age

John Cena's strength is legendary

Cena recently passed the big 40, but you wouldn't know that by looking at his physique.

Even though John has nothing left to prove in the sport, he still trains like he's trying to make it up the ladder. While he could easily coast on his reputation alone, John is trying to reach new fitness goals and become more powerful than ever.

Washed up: He's more focused on his personal life than wrestling

John Cena and Nikki Bella

John Cena has been working a reduced schedule for most of the last year, appearing for a time then disappearing again.

Part of this is his film work in movies like Ferdinand, but his dedication to his personal life is another factor. WWE wrestlers are famously on the road for more than 300 days per year, which makes it difficult to do things like raising a family.

Cena's fiancee Nikki Bella definitely wants children (though the jury is still out on if John truly does) and if he's going to be a father there won't be time to be Mr PPV.

Still Going Strong: He's a wrestler and a film star

John received high praise for his role in Amy Schumer's Train Wreck.

From Hulk Hogan to Roddy Piper and the Rock, some of the best wrestlers have also been successful actors.

Cena is no exception, and his Hollywood exploits increase, rather than decrease, his net value to the WWE and wrestling in general. Every time John Cena gets cast in a big-time movie project, it elevates the sport and increases his stock with his employers. To be blunt, John probably has a job with the WWE as long as he wants one.

Washed up: Wrestling has changed--and John's ring style has not

John Cena attempting a dropkick

Let's face facts; John Cena has never been the second coming of Dean Malenko, the man of a thousand holds.

That being said, his ring work has been at least adequate for most of his career. However, with the influx of talent from Japan and Europe into the WWE's ranks, the in-ring product has evolved. There is more of an emphasis on chain wrestling and nearly everyone is expected to go off the top rope occasionally.

John's reliance on his self-proclaimed "Three moves of doom" are just more proof that he's an archaic model of what a wrestler should be.

Still going strong: Dedication to wrestling

John Cena

It's a poorly kept secret that no one in WWE is as dedicated as John Cena.

John Cena shows up at the arena hours before he's required to be there, and often takes a lot of time to share wisdom with the younger talent. He is the man almost solely responsible for getting Daniel Bryan his job back and has often advocated for other talented wrestlers on social media.

John cares about wrestling, and it shows even if his performances can sometimes be formulaic, he is still passionate about the sport.

Washed up: He's become a caricature of himself

Many believe Cena is too cartoony for the modern era.

John Cena has been doing the Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect schtick for thirteen years.

Thirteen long, long, years.

While other wrestlers of his generation constantly re-invent themselves, John relies on what brought him to the dance and is essentially static in his development. Just look at Randy Orton. He's gone from Legend Killer to a psycho who 'hears voices' to the Apex predator to the Viper. While all of these personas are Randy Orton, they are all distinct enough to add variety to his career.

Meanwhile, John Cena is still John Cena.

Still Going strong: Children love him--and always will

John Cena with a young, ailing fan on the Today show.

John Cena has been wrestling on WWE television since 2002. That's fifteen years, and many fans have literally grown up watching Cena.

While the older males in the audience may boo Cena, the children remain stalwart in their dedication to him. Cena has a natural rapport with children and has granted more Wishes for the Make a Wish foundation than any other celebrity.

With a legion of fans who have lived their entire lives watching him, John Cena will always have the ability to sell tickets and garner mass media attention.

There you have it: Five reasons why John Cena might be washed up and five that he can still go. Please comment and let us know what direction you think Cena's career will take in the future.

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