John Cena: future Intercontinental Champion?

[Creepy Old Man]

When asked at the 2K15 roster reveal panel if he would break Ric Flair's record 16 world titles, Cena said: "I hope I never have to". Most folks here seem to agree with him. Triple H, a man who idolized Flair and became close friends with him, probably agrees as well. It's a sacred record.

Could Cena go for the Intercontinental Championship instead? Sure, that belt has been a joke for years, but Ziggler has lifted its prestige somewhat. I don't know about anyone else, but from around 1987 to 1994 I saw the IC title as almost equal in prestige to the WWF title. At WrestleMania VI and Survivor Series 1992 the main event was the WWF Champion vs. the IC Champion. At SummerSlam 1992, the IC title was THE championship in the WWF. The US title held similar prestige in WCW, occasionally supplanting the WCW title as the main event. Secondary titles CAN be incredibly important, kids.

The IC title is the one strap Cena hasn't held, and it wouldn't look silly on his shoulder if WWE could bring back that early 1990s prestige. With only one world title in the company now, it seems like the right time.

 

[Jimmy Carter]

It has been a long time coming, and perhaps the best way for Cena to 'elevate' the IC belt is for it to already have accrued value and prestige through a pool of talented worthy contenders. Ziggler has brought its stock up a few notches, and with a few more months of valiant defenses he might rival Lesnar as the guy to beat. Were Dolph to then drop the belt to a brutish monster opponent (like Harper or Rusev), Cena would be in a great position to take over the chase while Ziggler regroups and rallies for World Title contendership. Possibilities.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

If John Cena wanted to go into a program in which he was going after and ultimately win the IC title, I think he MIGHT, JUST MIGHT be able to convince Vince to go for it if the purpose was to jack the IC title's prestige to levels near unheard of. John Cena is at a place in his career where championships are just window dressing to him. In all honesty, that's been the story for Cena's career for a good many years now.

However, at the same time, you have to ask why John Cena would willingly go down the card considering how hard he's worked and how much time he's put in as being the ultimate company man. The statement about Ric Flair's title record sounds like Cena's typical way of being polite, simultaneously hyping Flair's record but ultimately saying that he'll go for it if he or the company higher ups want it to be so.

I think you also have to consider that Vince McMahon is pretty paranoid when it comes to Cena's image. Cena has everything that Vince could ever want in someone that's THE face of his wrestling company: he's got charisma, has a great physique, has that all American hero thing going on, has a helluva work ethic and has been unquestionably loyal to the company. Vince gets awfully damn squirrely at the notion of Cena having even the slightest appearance of looking "weak." For instance, look at how interesting the notion of Cena being more vulnerable than ever following his loss to Brock Lesnar was. It was a chance to do something creative with Cena, something that involved him being more than WWE's nigh invulnerable superman, but Vince put the kibosh on that idea quick by going the route of jacking Cena up and putting a big dent in the momentum of The Wyatt Family. Vince can't wrap his head around the notion of people wanting "heroes" who aren't infallible, who have to truly struggle to overcome the odds, who aren't damn near friggin' invulnerable.

When it's all said & done, I don't see Vince taking such a chance. While I don't think this would result in Cena looking bad, weak or costing him interest, I think it'd be intriguing personally, I also don't have Vince McMahon's somewhat warped sense of reality. I don't think there are many people left in WWE who do since most of Vince's cronies are no longer around or in management positions.

 

[Really?]

This might be the only way to bring back prestige to the IC title. The stars have to line up pretty nicely though, but that wouldn't be all that hard, really. Have Lesnar tell Cena that if he loses at the Rumble, it's his last shot. Cena loses and then decides that he will follow in the steps of all time greats like Patterson, Savage and Steamboat, and do something Hogan has never done: win the IC title. First though, Hogan gets pissed at the comment, and we get Cena put over by Hogan at Mania. The last part won't happen, but the first could.

 

[Papa Pillman]

Even if this were the case, wouldn't it make far more sense for Cena to pick-up and hold onto the US title instead?

The US title could stay on Cena for months or years and no one would miss it. It also makes sense with Cena's gimmick. Cena is the All-American babyface. He could easily claim that after so many World title wins, now what is most important to him is to be called champion of the United States. He could do it as a way to honor the country and even the troops. That actually makes logical sense with Cena and his character, while Cena focusing on the IC belt does not.

And moreover its easy to execute if there is actually a plan for Cena to eventually end Rusev's undefeated run. It sets Cena up to win the belt as the conquering American hero, and it he could just run with the title from there.

And don't give me the argument that the US title isn't important enough, in theory either midcard title is a massive step down for Cena, so the IC strap doesn't hold anymore prestige as it would relate to a John Cena run as champ. The truth is whichever title you put on Cena will be elevated as long as he holds it, and(aside from the WWE title) will subsequently lose that sense of added importance once he drops it, as it would be Cena that is relevant, not the title.

 

[rmp0012002]

It doesn't help Cena but would help make the belt have some actual importance. That's up to Vince and his brain trust. Ambrose held the U.S. Belt for two years and it was treated like not having a belt at all. Cena is a Roddy Piper or Mil Mascaras, they were super over that a belt wasn't needed.

 

[LODemolition]

If Cena were to hold another title in the near future besides the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, it would be the United States Title. He makes a lot of sense to be Rusev's opponent at WrestleMania 31 and be the first to defeat him.

However, let's not kid ourselves. Cena is 37 years old and doesn't get hurt very often (at least not seriously). Even when he injured his elbow last year and was supposed to miss at least 6 months, his last match was at SummerSlam and he was back for Hell in a Cell. That's less than 2 months. My point is he has plenty of fuel in the tank. It just isn't realistic to not expect Cena to win 2 more WWE Championships in his career. And while it will be recognized as breaking Flair's record, we have to remember 2 things. First, there were 2 world championships in WWE for Cena's entire career up until this time last year. And second, we live in an era of oversaturated pay per views, hurried feuds, and hurried title changes. 6-8 ppvs a year is all there should be to build the matches and storylines, but that's a topic for another thread. Cena will probably end up with at least 20 title wins before it's all said and done.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Hasn't Cena been buried enough lately? The guy is working WM programs with Wyatt and getting his ass handed to him by Lesnar at SS. He recently took a hokey loss to Rollins and a hokier loss to Ambrose. What happened to him at Survivor Series is nothing to be proud of as well.

If Cena is going to win the IC title it should be a long ways away. He still has plenty of cache. If anything a heel turn makes far more business sense. And seriously, what prestige is Cena going to bring to the IC title? If Cena is sinking that low, it is very possible he may just defend it willy nilly the same way it has basically been defended over the last ten years.

And lets not jump the gun. I think Ziggler has done a good job with it. He spoke very highly of it this past week. From what I've heard his matches with Harper have been very good. He is getting a tremendous push while still holding something that hasn't meant much in a long time. Give it to Cena and you're just going to confuse people more than get them excited about the belt.

And I think Cena's comment about Flair's record had more to do with saying that he doesn't want to break it because that means when he has it, he has to lose it in order to keep on picking up more notches.

 

[kadroan]

Even if this were the case, wouldn't it make far more sense for Cena to pick-up and hold onto the US title instead?

The US title could stay on Cena for months or years and no one would miss it. It also makes sense with Cena's gimmick. Cena is the All-American babyface. He could easily claim that after so many World title wins, now what is most important to him is to be called champion of the United States. He could do it as a way to honor the country and even the troops. That actually makes logical sense with Cena and his character, while Cena focusing on the IC belt does not.

And moreover its easy to execute if there is actually a plan for Cena to eventually end Rusev's undefeated run. It sets Cena up to win the belt as the conquering American hero, and it he could just run with the title from there.

And don't give me the argument that the US title isn't important enough, in theory either midcard title is a massive step down for Cena, so the IC strap doesn't hold anymore prestige as it would relate to a John Cena run as champ. The truth is whichever title you put on Cena will be elevated as long as he holds it, and(aside from the WWE title) will subsequently lose that sense of added importance once he drops it, as it would be Cena that is relevant, not the title.

Same thing I was thinking. If the rumored Rusev/Cena match actually takes place at WrestleMania, adding the title to the mix definitely makes it interesting.

We've seen Bret Hart as US Champion recently.

If Hart can win the title, why can't Cena?

 

[armenta541]

My thoughts are that if ever there were a time to unify the IC and US title, Dolph would face Rusev at Wrestlemania. Ziggler basically said that he's looking to overcome his next big challenge. Another reason that if Cena gets the title, it will be worth a little more prestige. Another angle would be to have it defended every week, or at least more often.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

If WWE is really smart they would let Cena win that record. He would get immense heat just for that. Then let Reigns win Rumble and challenge Cena. Crowd would get behind him just so they can see someone smack Cena's butt.

That would never happen probably but would be cool way in their efforts to build Reings as next no1 guy.

As from intercontinental championship, think Cena is above it now. Last really relevant maineventers that were holding it was Jericho and Rey Mysterio in 2009. And even they arent so high profile maineventers. That title doesnt mean that much today and dont think even Cena cares about it. He is way above it. Much more realistic option is US title and Rusev. But think that they want someone else for Rusev just for reason of someone getting the rub from all that "Russia/Putin" heat.

 

[SHANE]

I really don't see this happening.

Cena and Orton better not be WWE champ in 2015.

They're too marquee to be IC champ.

I'd rather see someone like Ziggler or Tyson Kidd get the IC belt and defend it successfully for a good time period.

 

[kumarjtk]

why u guys think cena winning the ic belt is prestige for ic belt. U guys told cena is full of cracp. U guys hate cena for winning belts.
Put the ic belt to bryan. He make ic belt look prestige and give a MOTY matches.

 

[justinsayne]

Recently ? You mean 16 years ago ?

Try 4 yrs. ago when he beat Miz for the belt (with an absurd amount of help from the Hart Dynasty).

I'm with the people saying Cena going for the US title would make more sense, as long as he doesn't bring back that stupid spinner US Title he had the last time he was US Champ. All in all I really don't think it matters, if Takers streak wasn't safe then I don't think Flair's 16 reigns are all that safe either, & it's only a matter of time before it's broken by someone, with Cena being the most obvious candidate.

 

[NegativeFeedback]

I could see a 50-year-old Cena winning the IC title in a one-off. They've done things like that before. It will also make him a Triple Crown Champion. He's one of the few big names who've never gotten the Triple Crown. Undertaker, Foley, Hogan and Batista have also avoided the IC title like the plague.

 

[Officer Trapdoor]

I think a cool program would have been to have Cena chase that one title he never held because he felt the IC title was THE title now that Lesnar wasn't appearing on TV regularly.

They would have needed to do it sooner though as I believe Lesnar's reign as a part time champion is nearing its end.

 

[LBGetBack]

Same thing I was thinking. If the rumored Rusev/Cena match actually takes place at WrestleMania, adding the title to the mix definitely makes it interesting.

We've seen Bret Hart as US Champion recently.

If Hart can win the title, why can't Cena?

Well, there's the fact that Hart had a stroke and severe concussions and was "off limits" to even take one bump and had been retired for a decade, so he wasn't exactly "Bret Hart" anymore. His US title win was a joke and pointless. How is that in any way similar to John Cena, the current top guy who is healthy and in his prime, potentially winning the US title?

 

[@smarkmouth]

When you've reached the top of the mountain, climbing down is the only way to move

I'm reminded of Triple H's Intercontinental championship reign when he and Stone Cold were the Two Man Power Trip. He took the title from Jericho, and had the opportunity to help elevate mid card talent. It was unfortunate he hotshotted the title back from Jeff Hardy after putting him over, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Putting the IC title on Cena, or even simply teasing it, would do wonders for the title and whoever he works with.

 

[Navi]

I don't see it happening, Cena is king of the hill right now and has been forever. It would be a stop down for him, especially if he breaks Flair's record. Which I might add he will, it's just a matter of time.

Records and streaks are made to be broken, and this one will fall as well. Sadly I don't think anyone will even come close in the future, sot it's Cena's to take and keep.

As far as the IC title is concerned, how many times have we heard here on the forum complaints about Cena burying people. If he drops down to what would basically be the mid card and picks up one of their titles, the bitching would be endless. Not only has he held the WWE Title for 10 years on and off, but now that he's heading for the sunset of his career, we want him to go for a lesser title that he could have had years ago.

Don't see Cena going out any other way than on top.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I'll confess to mixed feelings about the "Cena as IC champ" question .....depending on the motivations of the people calling for it.

On the one hand, if folks want him competing for that belt because they want him to take a step down in the organizational hierarchy, I would say that WWE accommodating that sentiment would be akin to cutting off their own noses to spite their faces, and the company wouldn't be that foolish. Despite all the talk about Cena being booed in arenas, he has far more fan support than anyone in pro wrestling today. (It was amusing to read about CM Punk merchandise selling more than John Cena's during one month and to read people saying that Punk had now surpassed Cena as #1 in the company.)

In other words, fans who want Cena to be demoted from his top-shelf standing are gonna have a long, long time to wait for that golden day.

On the other hand, if the goal is to elevate the IC belt to its former lofty standing.....and use Cena to do it....I would think a program could be developed to accomplish just that......'cause if there's anyone who could bring off the project and then return immediately to his rightful station as either world champion or top contender for that position, it's ol' John Cena.

 

[miserablemidcarder]

I don't see Cena ending up with a run as IC or US Champion even if it would boost it's status. He would be better suited putting over younger talents in non title feuds with a storyline behind it rather than as a mid card champion if he's finished with world titles it just doesn't have the same appeal in my opinion.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Maybe someday later down the line towards the end of his career, but right now be does not need it whatsoever. Cena is way above that belt at this time. He's even above the World Heavyweight Championship. He could enter a non-title feud with ANYONE right now and have it become a high profile feud. Let the wrestlers who need the titles go after them, especially at the midcard level. It would be cool to see him hold the Intercontinental Championship sometime if he wanted to outside of kayfabe for completionist purposes, that's the only way I see him winning the Intercontinental Championship. Would it elevate the belt? Sure. It did wonders for the big gold belt for Cena to hold it during the time leading up to the unification. It could be an opportunity for a huge moment for a midcarder who defeats him if they ever do go this route.... I just don't see it happening anytime soon. Cena as Intercontinental Champion is better being used for a run towards the end of his career. Right now Cena should be focusing more on breaking Flair's World Championship title wins record.

 

[MMA Mark]

I could see him taking the US title off of Rusev, though I'd rather Rusev bring back the European title and have Barrett take it from him.