Can John Cena ever have another career defining match?

[Diet Soda]

First things first, I like John Cena. He is more than capable of performing with whoever he is placed against to a top-rate level, and while his matches may easily garner accusations of being formulaic, even tedious, you cannot say that he is talentless or can't wrestle. His natural charisma has allowed him to become one of the most eloquent and articulate promo-cutters of this generation, and he never fails to elicit a reaction from the crowd. Furthermore, his work outside of the wrestling ring with charitable foundations is simply awe-inspiring and exemplary. If John Cena had never worked for the WWE, I believe the company would be in the toilet by now.

However, what else can he give? Where else can his career go? Obviously, his recording setting championship history is just a fraction of his legacy that is already cemented, and he has a long list of four- and five-star matches from the last decade that will we as fans will retrospectively enjoy and use as a yardstick for years to come. But has his career peaked?

Of course, it seems certain that WWE have charted a course towards a world championship unification at Wrestlemania XXX, and Cena would no doubt be the odds-on favourite to win, and in the process tieing himself with Ric Flair's record. But when one has achieved all there is to achieve, where does one go next? How do you come back from the top?

If I think of Cena's recent matches that got me the most excited, three come to mind. Two were against CM Punk, the first at Money in the Bank 2011, and the second on Raw earlier this year. The third was against Daniel Bryan at Summerslam this year. Looking at the two PPV matches, they have in common that Cena dropped the strap to put over and up-and-coming main event player. (The other I just like because it was a damn good wrestling match, and had more to due with the Cena/Rock storyline).

So is there where Cena is destined to go? Once he's conclusively reached the top of the mountain, will he climb back down whilst helping others up on the way? Will his next great matches, if he indeed has any, be like those against Punk and Bryan, where he puts on a damn good show but ultimately comes up short?

For me, it is difficult to see John Cena "overcoming the odds" once again, since he has run out of odds to overcome. Over to you.

 

[TheHitMark-SirJoseOle]

To answer your question, yes. Absolutely, positively, yes. Cena is just entering his late 30s but he still has plenty of gas left in the tank, in my view at least. The only way something can undermine that is if he suffers an injury that he can't come back from like Steve Austin. However, if he can keep recovering the way he has always shown he's capable of, Cena will have many more moments in his career. There will come a time where the next "guy" comes along and Cena will play the role that Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan played when they were the aging star going up against the younger star. Meaning that the new star who's already established but gets that stamp of legitimacy by beating a legend.

I think we have some years before that happens, with further achievements that Cena will attain the along the way, but that's basically how I see a scenario like that occurring.

 

[indianfanboy]

Honestly, I don't have a problem with Cena. I don't like him, I don't hate him. The guy's given me some great WWE memories. The two most recent matches I can recall which were pretty amazing were the ones he had with Lesnar (at Extreme Rules) and CM Punk (on Raw). The guy might be stale, but he is the good guy everyone is going to remember from the 2000-2015 era twenty years from now.

 

[johnbragg]

For me, it is difficult to see John Cena "overcoming the odds" once again, since he has run out of odds to overcome. Over to you.

This is true, for a good long time. About the only thing left is a long time away from the ring to heal up years of damage, capped by a big comeback against the stars of a new generation, the young no-good-niks who show no respect to established veterans like Bryan, Punk and Ryback.

 

[closet_fan]

Only thing left for Cena at this point is ending Taker's streak. Cena has done it all and faced them all. The only thing that would change this is if somehow the WWE brought in a new wrestler between now and when Cena retires who can be a true threat. But looking at the roster now, there is literally no one I can see him facing who would give him that "big career moment."

Facing Taker and winning or losing would be it. Someone brought up that if he did beat Taker at WM30, he'd be a heel. Far from it. Wrestlers like HHH and HBK have faced him and still stayed top faces.

For me, that last defining moment to add to Cena's legacy is facing Taker, regardless if he wins or loses.

 

[tvcolosi]

in my opinion he had a "career defining match" just in August. So can he? yea i think he has it in him. When? I think the match needs to be against the guy that brings out the best in him. I think it has to be vs CM Punk in a last match at a Wrestlemanina. Now we know it likely won't be a 30, and 32 might be too late so 31 might be the place. I think they can build towards this a long way out. Mania is a place where babyface matches work best on top.

I hope they save this feud for something that important. I know they have had matches here and there in the last few years but correct me if i am wrong, i cannot remember these 2 having the pro longed 1 on 1 feud.

In 2011 then had the MitB ppv match and then again at Summerslam and Punk won both. They broke off to other feuds. Then on 2012 they had a match at Summerslam in a triple threat with Big Show, 1 on 1 at NoC with a no contest, then Ryback was put in.

I think Cena and Punk need that 3-4 straight PPV feud culminating in a great blow off. I hope the reason we haven't seen it yet is they are holding back so that when it happens it will be a bigger deal.

 

[LSN80]

F If John Cena had never worked for the WWE, I believe the company would be in the toilet by now.

I disagree. I'm as big a John Cena fan as you will find on this site, but WWE would have found a way to elevate someone else to Cena's status. They may not have the ability, diversity, and passion that Cena has, but WWE would have presented an alternative in a similar fashion to Cena.

However, what else can he give? Where else can his career go? Obviously, his recording setting championship history is just a fraction of his legacy that is already cemented, and he has a long list of four- and five-star matches from the last decade that will we as fans will retrospectively enjoy and use as a yardstick for years to come. But has his career peaked?

Not at all. John Cena is at the peak of his career, and he's showing it by adding to his moveset and somewhat reinventing himself as a character with an edge, rather then the happy-go-lucky Cena we got pre-injury. He's added the tornado DDT, a neckbreaker, the occasional hurricanrana, and has greatly improved his dropkick. If anything, this shows that Cena is very much in his prime, and is working hard to stay there.

So what can that lead to? I feel like a broken record here, but nobody in the company has elevated more stars then John Cena. Edge became a main-eventer after an almost year-long feud with Cena, and is now a Hall Of Famer. Randy Orton went from upper-mid card status to a permanent main eventer because of his 2007 feud with John Cena, and when Orton needed to be pushed again to that level, who did he feud with in 2009? John Cena. The same can be said for CM Punk in 2011 and Daniel Bryan this year, both who reached main event status and frequent PPV main-eventer during and after feuds with Cena. A huge part of John Cena's legacy will be undoubtably be the wrestlers he's helped to elevate, many(Edge, Orton, Bryan, and Punk) who have spoken publicly, out of character, and have credited Cena for being where they are were.

But when one has achieved all there is to achieve, where does one go next? How do you come back from the top?

By bringing others to the top with you. I don't know what the future holds for the members of the Shield or the Wyatt Family, for example, but Cena has yet to feud extensively with any of them. An individual feud with a Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, or many a wrestler currently in NXT could truly be the catalyst for a career taking off. When you're at the top and in the position Cena is in, the proper push and ability of a younger wrestler to hang with Cena could shoot a wrestler into the stratosphere.

For me, it is difficult to see John Cena "overcoming the odds" once again, since he has run out of odds to overcome. Over to you.

I remember similar arguments being made in 2007, after Cena finished his feud with Edge. WHat did he do next? He moved on to feuds with Umaga, HBK, and The Great Khali. He overcame the odds with all three, in different ways. He beat the crafty veteran in HBK, one he seemed initially overmatched against in their Wrestlemania match. He told a great story with Khali, who was a monster heel at the time, in that he avoided being pinned until he could get in position to hit that one big move. With Umaga, he changed his style when he couldn't beat him in a brawl, initially, and outwrestled him. Three odd-defying feuds, three different stories.

And there you have it. Cena feuds with an up-and-coming wrestler, and possibly he doesn't overcome the odds at first. He did so with Sheamus, for example. To this day, Cena has never beaten Sheamus 1 on 1, and Sheamus took the WWE Title from him twice.

In other words, a feud or wrestler over a period of time that Cena doesn't or can't beat, or needs to become creative(cheat) to beat would add to his legacy. Speaking of which, while I'm opposed to it, a heel turn for Cena as well would add to his legacy. Cena would undoubtably go from top face to top heel, which would not only build Cena's legacy....

It would change the entire landscape of the WWE as well. Such a match, with a heel turn involved, would undoubtably be career-defining, would it not?

 

[backwardsrko]

I truely see some how down the line, John Cena Vs Taker at WM. I dont know which WM, but for sure it will happen. Ive been watching WWF/WWE since it began, I remember the very first Monday Night Raw. Anyways..



This is how it will go down . John Cena will be the one to end Takers streak, you can bet all your money on that! Cena is the chosen one to end it.

Theres only 3 people who WWE would allow to end it and those three are listed below. Take my word as it is, its the truth.

1.John Cena
2. Mr McMahon

and last but not least

3. Kane (yes this match has happened before, but Kane would be one of the candidate still to end the streak, it makes sense).

 

[GeneralKarim]

If it werent for Cena being in the WWE as LSN said WWE would just give more opportunities to others and find ways to elevate them cause they would have a lot more room to be creative since there is no Cena to fall back on like they do now.

 

[TheCookieMonster]

The only career achievements that he has left are overtaking/equaling Flair's 16 championships, or defeating Taker. Neither of which I would like to see, but they are both distinctly possible. So yes, Cena could have another career defining match, but he has done so much that there is little left for him to achieve that will further establish his illustrious career.

 

[Headman]

A career defining match doesn't have to be another milestone. Cena's match on RAW with Punk was in a way re-defining. When they compile a list of his greatest matches, that will be one of them and it was just this year. There's no reason he couldn't have another match like that next year or the year after. Cena is a once in a generation performer, despite the hate that he gets from his detractors. I'm sure he's got several great matches left in him.

 

[WallsofZakku]

I would agree Cena can continue to have great fueds with up and coming main event
contenders. Also a streak match with the dead man would be a historic match, I could see the build-up dating all the way back to their first interaction backstage where undertaker gave Cena props for taking it to Angle. Cena saying that from that day he made a vow to himself to surpass the undertaker and his legacy or at least beremembered on the same level as him. Something along the lines of that. The build to that match could be of epic proportions, and im neither a cena basher or lover.

 

[Redemption-2012]

Yes I believe that John Cena can have a couple more career defining matches. He is still relatively young for a pro wrestler and there are still a few more matches and big dream feuds that we have yet to see. Most noticeably The Undertaker at WrestleMania, I was hoping for that match at 'Mania 30 but it now looks like he will be involved in the title picture side of things.

It's a shame because I feel of this is The Undertaker's final match and it's against Brock Lesnar, I feel that it could very well be his last match. This match could have been his next "career defining match" and I will say that if we don't see this match, it's a massively missed opportunity for the company and the Fans.

 

[LSN80]

The only career achievements that he has left are overtaking/equaling Flair's 16 championships, or defeating Taker. Neither of which I would like to see, but they are both distinctly possible. So yes, Cena could have another career defining match, but he has done so much that there is little left for him to achieve that will further establish his illustrious career.

This isn't even close to being true.

Every wrestler that Cena puts over, such as CM Punk or Daniel Bryan, adds to his legacy. They're the guys that beat Cena clean, and in doing so, it showed Cena's vulnerability. Because of his status, anyone who receives a push and capatilizes on it adds to Cena's legacy.

Want more? As we've seen recently, there's a title unification match in the future, and whether the titles are Unified at TLC or at Wrestlemania(I'd prefer the latter)Cena's legacy could be added to as the man who unified the World and WWE Championship titles. I don't think he will be, as a heel should do so, for bragging rights and arrogance, not someone such as Cena who would be more humbled and honored. But Cena's legacy would certainly be furthered if he was the one who unified the titles, would it not?

Speaking of heels, a Cena heel turn would absolutely further his legacy. It would change the landscape of the entire WWE, so how could it not? Cena would go from the top face to being the top heel. A successful heel turn, after being a face for so long, like Hulk Hogan, would have a huge impact on his legacy. I think it's a bad idea, but there's no denying it would be very influential on Cena's legacy.

The other things you mentioned are true. Breaking Flair's record, ending Taker's streak. I'm as big a Cena fan as you'll find on this site, but I'm not sure how I feel about either one. I was never a Flair fan, per se, but holding that record is what defines Flair's legacy. The same is true of the Undertaker. The streak defines his legacy, and I don't believe it should ever be ended, even by the face of the company.

If anyone could credibly do either, however, it has to be John Cena, does it not?

 

[cleissonsg]

Every wrestler that Cena puts over, such as CM Punk or Daniel Bryan, adds to his legacy. They're the guys that beat Cena clean, and in doing so, it showed Cena's vulnerability. Because of his status, anyone who receives a push and capatilizes on it adds to Cena's legacy.

Want more? As we've seen recently, there's a title unification match in the future, and whether the titles are Unified at TLC or at Wrestlemania(I'd prefer the latter)Cena's legacy could be added to as the man who unified the World and WWE Championship titles. I don't think he will be, as a heel should do so, for bragging rights and arrogance, not someone such as Cena who would be more humbled and honored. But Cena's legacy would certainly be furthered if he was the one who unified the titles, would it not?

Speaking of heels, a Cena heel turn would absolutely further his legacy. It would change the landscape of the entire WWE, so how could it not? Cena would go from the top face to being the top heel. A successful heel turn, after being a face for so long, like Hulk Hogan, would have a huge impact on his legacy. I think it's a bad idea, but there's no denying it would be very influential on Cena's legacy.

The other things you mentioned are true. Breaking Flair's record, ending Taker's streak. I'm as big a Cena fan as you'll find on this site, but I'm not sure how I feel about either one. I was never a Flair fan, per se, but holding that record is what defines Flair's legacy. The same is true of the Undertaker. The streak defines his legacy, and I don't believe it should ever be ended, even by the face of the company.

If anyone could credibly do either, however, it has to be John Cena, does it not?

I agree in almost everything.

I don't want to see Cena unfying the belts, better let Orton do it, so he can brag about it: "I beat John Cena! I am the undisputed champion! I am the one true face of the WWE!" I can even see a face Chris Jericho feuding with Orton and the Authority when he returns, since Jericho is the first ever undisputed champion.

I don't want to see Cena breaking the Undertaker streak. Cena is already big, the streak would be only one more accomplishment for him. Besides, he's not young anymore. If they ever want to break the streak, It needs to be done by a younger guy, to push his career to the top, like Bray Wyatt or Dean Ambrose.

The only thing I do want to see is Cena breaking Flair's record. I think this would be THE career defining moment for John Cena.

 

[klunderbunker]

Remember a few years ago when people were thinking Cena had nowhere else to go? It was a few weeks before Valentine's Day 2011. Then we saw the following.

[youtube]OgJSvWTionE[/youtube]

Then Rock challenged Cena to the biggest match in about 15 years and the match lived up to its hype. Cena lost and people wondered where he went from there. Then we saw the following.

[youtube]GnnxMwM32Nw[/youtube]

There are even more instances of this and people always think Cena is running out of things to do. One day people will ask it again, and sometime in January Cena will be in the ring and a gong will strike. This is one of those arguments that people keep trying to make and it just doesn't hold up.

 

[justinept]

Let's add some historical perspective to this. Hulk Hogan was still the biggest star in wrestling history back in 1996 - and arguably still is today. Despite that distinction, he managed to re-define his career when he tuned heel one month shy of his 43rd birthday. If this question was posed to Hogan in 1995 - could he have one more career-defining match - he would've blown it out the water. Not only could have another career-defining match, but he could completely change the way you viewed his entire career.

Hell, six years later - at the tender age of 48 - Hulk Hogan was cheered to 'face' status by a Toronto crowd in another career-defining match against The Rock that proved Hulkamania was still running wild nearly 20 years after its inception.

So if Hulk Hogan found a way to re-define his career at 43, and to have career-defining matches at 48, then why would anyone believe that John Cena has accomplished all he can accomplish at 36? Has Cena really accomplished more than Hogan? Not even close.

 

[MCMG]

A match with The Undertaker at Wrestlemania makes the most sense to me. I was adamant that this would happen in 2014 but I don't mind when - as long as it happens. These two have never had a feud and I think the thought of "super-Cena" ending the streak is a very intriguing option.

Him setting a new record for World Titles is inevitable and is a fitting legacy but he might do that by the middle of 2014. Then what? He is still fairly youthful and, wrestling full-time, I imagine he still has 5+ years left. He isn't going to drop to the mid card. Cena can only stay at the top and we are effectively waiting for The Shield, Big E, Bray Wyatt to become worthy opponents for Cena. To be honest, there was a generation of guys (Benjamin, Morrison, Carlito, Mr Kennedy, MVP) then had potential but never reached the level where they were going to feud with Cena. Hence, why he has faced The Big Show numerous times and has even feuded with The Great Khali. There is now a bunch of young guys who are incredibly talented and are potential opponents.

With regards to a heel-turn. I think history suggests it will happen and I am not fully convinced it shouldn't. Hogan was a top face for many years, then he turned heel with the NWO. Austin was an awesome face during the attitude era: then he gives us one of the best heel turns of all time at WM17.

Say what you want about Cena turning heel. Personally, I don't care if he turns. I know it is extremely unlikely but if it happened I would be interested to see what happened. Surely that is the final challenge for John Cena. Can John Cena be a convincing heel at the very top. Lets say Cena enters the final year of his career. Turn him heel and they can they try and build some top faces that can fill the void that will be left. That is a near impossible challenge and they have to find someone who can at least partially do so.

Many people think that Cena is boring. They think he only has five moves and can't cut a promo. Logical people know this isn't the case but a heel-turn would allow him to change his character and prove all the doubters wrong.

There are a few things left for Cena to achive. Firstly there are some great potential opponents/feuds that I want Cena to have. Big E, Reigns and Ambrose are all very exciting possibilities. Take Ric Flair's record, face Taker at WM and turn heel. I think one of those is certain; one is very likely and the heel-turn is near-impossible but something I think we should see.

 

[Diet Soda]

Cena feuds with an up-and-coming wrestler, and possibly he doesn't overcome the odds at first. He did so with Sheamus, for example. To this day, Cena has never beaten Sheamus 1 on 1, and Sheamus took the WWE Title from him twice.

In other words, a feud or wrestler over a period of time that Cena doesn't or can't beat, or needs to become creative(cheat) to beat would add to his legacy. Speaking of which, while I'm opposed to it, a heel turn for Cena as well would add to his legacy. Cena would undoubtably go from top face to top heel, which would not only build Cena's legacy....

It would change the entire landscape of the WWE as well. Such a match, with a heel turn involved, would undoubtably be career-defining, would it not?

Absolutely. I feel Cena is due a 'Bash at the Beach' moment. If he is really winning to seal his legacy at the top, he should be willing to defend it at all costs, and I am in the camp of those who want to see a Cena heel turn in the future.

The big match moments involving Cena from then on would no longer revolve around Cena overcoming the odds, but instead the idea of defeating Cena would be the new standard for the up-and-comers. The shock and elation when Punk and Bryan respectively took the strap from Cena in those aforementioned matches would be multiplied and amplified if a heel Cena was portrayed to be some sort of unstoppable tyrant, who in addition to being a world class wrestler still, also employed illicit tactics to maintain his power base.

In essence, I feel this model of John Cena, once it has completed its current course of uniting the two top championships, will have become outdated. To maintain relevance and importance, and even excitement, John can't be the nice guy babyface forever. For the new blood to overtake him, it would make for far more compelling wrestling television if Cena was reluctant to leave the top of the mountain, and would not go without a fight.