This will be unpopular with most and probably only please a few but the reality is, John Cena is back in the WWE title picture, and it’s a good thing. It's better that the WWE Universe get used to the idea now instead of rebelling when the Rumble comes.
When John Cena emphatically returned on the last SmackDown of 2016 and announced his title aspirations, the internet collectively groaned and dismissed his threat. Two weeks later and 16 days closer to the Rumble, it's starting to dawn on the masses that John Cena is really going to walk out of Texas a 16-time World Champion.
Here's why John Cena needs to/should/will/deserves to beat AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble.
#5 For the Undertaker feud
What could be bigger than the two biggest names in wrestling fighting for the most recognised championship in wrestling on the largest wrestling PPV? Fans have been restless at the thought of the two locking horns for years now.
But if rumours are to be believed, Vince McMahon is not yet sure on the bout. Speculation suggests that Vince is instead looking at a Roman Reigns - Undertaker feud instead, why? I have no idea. Reigns can battle the Deadman next year, he has time, Cena doesn’t.
Also read: WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 5 Matches we must see
The Cena-Taker match needs to be made official instantly, to make WM 33 a high draw. And Cena winning the title at the Rumble would only further hype up the April 2nd bout, setting up the most anticipated championship match of the modern era.
#4 Because he's already put Styles over
I can't think of a superstar that’s cleanly pinned John Cena twice, ever, let alone in the space of a few months. The Phenomenal One wouldn't be so phenomenal if it weren't for the selflessness of the 15-time World champion putting him over.
Not only did he put him over on the second biggest PPV of the year, he put Styles over in every single interview he's done since the defeat. With his kind of mainstream reach, Cena has let anybody who wants to hear know how good Styles truly is, making him into a huge star.
The man who made AJ Styles into a star deserves a little rub from 2016's MVP. A loss to Cena at this stage wouldn't hurt the Phenomenal One in the slightest, it would, in fact, elevate him. It would make fans believe he's not entirely unbeatable, thus making his next win even the more triumphant.
#3 Because he deserves it
For all he's done for the company both in the ring and outside of it, John Cena deserves to be WWE champion again. The 39-year old hasn't held the WWE Championship in over two and a half years, if that's not him stepping aside, what else is?
I know many of you are sick of the Super Cena narrative, you feel he dominates every show you watch, but recently, the man has truly taken a backseat.
Not only has he stepped out of the limelight, he's helped others improve. In the past year and a half alone, John Cena has put over Kevin Owens, AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose clean, all of whom are now champions, it's no coincidence.
When he puts someone over, they become a star. And I don't think there's anything wrong in Cena now bathing in some richly deserved championship glory at the Royal Rumble.
#2 It would freshen up the title scene
Let's face it, whoever Cena rubs up upon, becomes a star. For as many wrestlers he's supposedly 'buried' he's elevated just as many superstars, if not more. Styles has undoubtedly been the top star on SmackDown in his absence, but now that he's back, the title scene looks legit again.
Who would have thought 5 years ago, we'd be saying that a John Cena title reign would freshen up the main event picture. But it will, because let's be honest, no one on the current SmackDown roster poses a legit threat to Styles at the moment.
Someone of the calibre of John Cena makes the bout with the dominant champion an even contest and a main event worthy rivalry.
#1 To tie Ric Flair's record
It was always going to happen, why not just pull the trigger sooner rather than later. I suspect many were expecting the coveted 16th world title reign to happen at a Wrestlemania, but why not do it when fans are least expecting it. That way, the reaction is more genuine and possibly more positive.
Ric Flair, for many, is considered the greatest wrestler of all time, his 16 (some claim more) world titles were memorable parts of wrestling history.
Over his career, Flair won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 10 times, the WCW Championships 8 times and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship 2 times, equating to 3,722 days as a world champion, truly incredible.
Now a great figure like this deserves to be surrounded only by the finest of the company. The current face of the WWE will not only join Flair in that category, but he will exceed him. The 15-time World Champion is already considered as one of the greats, now it's time to make it official.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
