You do what you did with Randy Orton. Remember, he hurt himself pretty bad against Edge middly of 2010 and they kept him on TV until the next pay-per-view.
Odds are, if Cena was able to walk out, then the leg injury shouldn't last all of the four months that we are away from Wrestlemania. So, you keep him in the storyline. Maybe make him go away for a month or two to rest up and rehab, then make his way back.
IMO, what you do is let Punk win the Rumble. Have HHH come back (as he's supposedly close enough to be there) and become the face. HHH's age and injury history is enough to keep him out of a major heel role for the time being, but considering his longevity with WWE and the fans, him coming back and instantly feuding with the Nexus would be perfect.
Later on, you add more and more and you have the likes of Sheffield, Bourne, HHH, Cena and maybe one or two more guys (Barrett and Tarver?) in a 5 on 5 match with the members of Nexus sans Punk at Mania.
Fixing this shouldn't be hard even though it puts a HUGE dent in creative's plans. But, it's really a blessing in disguise as it gives us a real look at this "new" creative team's story lines going through.
The possibilities are endless, and, honestly, Cena off the airwaves will make us like him a little more, in my opinion.
But, if I were creative, I bring Cena in on commentary like they did Punk and somewhere down the line have Punk spill Cena's drink setting up a diet vs. regular match at Mania. Or whatever, haha.
Odds are, if Cena was able to walk out, then the leg injury shouldn't last all of the four months that we are away from Wrestlemania. So, you keep him in the storyline. Maybe make him go away for a month or two to rest up and rehab, then make his way back.
IMO, what you do is let Punk win the Rumble. Have HHH come back (as he's supposedly close enough to be there) and become the face. HHH's age and injury history is enough to keep him out of a major heel role for the time being, but considering his longevity with WWE and the fans, him coming back and instantly feuding with the Nexus would be perfect.
Later on, you add more and more and you have the likes of Sheffield, Bourne, HHH, Cena and maybe one or two more guys (Barrett and Tarver?) in a 5 on 5 match with the members of Nexus sans Punk at Mania.
Fixing this shouldn't be hard even though it puts a HUGE dent in creative's plans. But, it's really a blessing in disguise as it gives us a real look at this "new" creative team's story lines going through.
The possibilities are endless, and, honestly, Cena off the airwaves will make us like him a little more, in my opinion.
But, if I were creative, I bring Cena in on commentary like they did Punk and somewhere down the line have Punk spill Cena's drink setting up a diet vs. regular match at Mania. Or whatever, haha.