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When John Cena first popped onto WWE televisions in 2002, there was something immediately different about him.
Answering Kurt Angle’s challenge, Cena defiantly slapped the Olympian. Somehow, this unknown hung in with a multiple-time WWE Champion, and only lost the challenge in the last few seconds.
This would set the tone for this man’s incredible WWE run.
From being a blue-chipper, to a rapper, to a Marine, then to a Fruity Pebble, Cena accumulated championships faster than a Bugatti Veyron going 0 to 60. He has also added millions of fans, haters in counter-balance, and the respect of everyone he has ever faced.
To this blogger however, it seems like Cena is starting to get bogged down.
This morning I was looking at still images of Cena from Extreme Rules. A man, who in victory, was literally beaten to a bloody pulp. He also looked old, tired, and needing a long breather.
It goes without saying that Cena is a BEAST. Not only does John go on the road 300 or so days a year, but he also manages to complete multiple obligations that would seemingly kill a normal man!
Let’s not mince corners here. Cena, even after surgery, never truly rests. For example, Cena went to Iraq after pectoral surgery in 2007 to contribute to “Tribute to the Troops”. Normally, most superstars wouldn’t appear anywhere until they returned to TV!
Which leads me to my point.
Turning 35 this past week, it’s almost unfathomable that Cena has been able to keep this type of rigorous schedule up.
Now that he isn’t getting any younger, and not getting any healthier, it may be time for Cena to put his full-time road schedule behind him.
Looking at his age, which is indeed 35, let’s take a look at what other men were doing at that point in their careers:
Steve Austin: In his prime, but going through neck surgery recovery.
Shawn Michaels: Overcoming drug addiction, second run inadvertently on the way.
Triple H: Balls deep into the ‘Reign of Terror’.
Hulk Hogan: Very much still ‘the man’ in the WWE, with or without the championship.
Bret Hart: His singles run was just beginning.
It’s a varied list of talents with a varied list of agendas.
While I’m not saying for Cena to hang his boots up by any means, I am saying that Cena just take a deep breath and analyze what he has.
Take a look at Edge for example. At age 38, he retired with the comfort that he won’t have to be in a wheel chair. After years of TLC matches, nasty bumps, and all in addition to a spinal fusion surgery, the toll became too much of an ‘Edge’ for Adam Copeland to rally against.
With a new crop of talent peeking through the woodwork, Cena’s full-time role should be reduced. Allow Cena to encompass an Undertaker-style (like from 2009) work schedule that while he appears on TV for the promo here and there, the meat of his work will be shown on PPV in matches worthy of hyping an entire card. To anyone wondering, his other commitments (i.e: Make a Wish) would not be affected.
In conclusion, the main point of this article is that Cena should start to slow down. He has done EVERYTHING. From being WWE Champion (at one point over a year straight), to a champion of ‘Make A Wish’, to being a role-model for all fans, Cena’s career is a who’s-who of accomplishments that is nothing short of extraordinary. In a time where contemporaries are retiring in quick succession, John needs to ease off the gas and ride in the slow lane.
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