John Cena finally became a Grand Slam Champion this week on Raw in his hometown of Boston, defeating Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Championship. It was a landmark moment, and one that fans will never forget, with this wrapping up Cena’s career in style. There have been some question marks surrounding the decision, though, and whether it was the right call for Triple H to make.
After all, Cena will be retiring from in-ring competition next month, meaning this is guaranteed to be an extremely brief run with the title. While some may view this as a negative call, the fact is that it’s precisely what Cena’s final run should have been, which now sets up the opportunity for something special in his final few performances.
Fans Wanted To See John Cena Win One More Championship
John Cena as Intercontinental Champion with his hand raised
- Cena had never held the Intercontinental Championship
- His career warranted being a Grand Slam Champion
- The Intercontinental Title now means more with John Cena carrying it
WWE has made plenty of bold calls during John Cena’s final run as an active in-ring wrestler, with the most notable being his heel turn. It has widely been accepted that it was a mistake for him to be a heel, mainly because fans want to embrace Cena in his final year. People want to support him and have something to cheer, and Cena winning the Intercontinental Championship provided exactly that. Dominik Mysterio was the perfect heel to create a special moment for the live crowd.
The moment elevated Mysterio, even in defeat, as he has now been part of a historic moment that featured Cena winning the only title he had never held. That is what fans have always wanted, seeing the 17-time World Champion compete against the top heels while putting together memorable moments and storylines that would help current talent.
Audiences didn’t want to boo him, and now they have the chance to enjoy one final title run properly. It’s a feeling that his supporters weren’t able to truly have for Cena’s final World Title run due to the character he was portraying. That should make this title win feel even sweeter, as audiences will look to soak in every second of his time as the Intercontinental Champion.
John Cena’s Final Few WWE Appearances Will Mean More Than Nostalgia
John Cena saluting in WWE
- Cena could defend the title three times before retiring
- His final match should now be for the Intercontinental Championship
- It will make the midcard title mean significantly more after he’s retired
Cena’s final run has been filled with some epic moments, such as his brilliant SummerSlam match against Cody Rhodes or his promo battles with CM Punk. However, there have been times throughout the year when it has felt like WWE has simply been leaning on nostalgia for its own sake, particularly during his brief run against Randy Orton. That isn’t what people wanted for his final few months, simply having Cena show up to play the hits for the sake of nostalgia.
His final opponent being determined by a tournament certainly had that feeling, as it means that there is effectively no storyline in place for it, and no heat between him and whoever wins it. However, now that Cena is the Intercontinental Champion, there is something tangible for fans to grasp, making that match feel more important for everyone involved.
Nobody wants Cena to end his career in a whimper or in a manner that fans cannot invest in on an emotional level. That’s why putting the Intercontinental Championship on him was a wise decision by Triple H, as now fans can care properly about his final few encounters. At the same time, his opponents have an instant motivation to compete against him, beyond simply claiming they’ve wrestled against Cena, which is a rather thin explanation.
WWE Can Put A Wrestler Over In Style To Wrap Up John Cena’s Career
John Cena wearing a red shirt in WWE
- Whoever beats Cena for the title will be pushed to another level
- The Intercontinental Championship will be a focal point for the next month
- The next champion will be taken seriously from the start
Ultimately, Cena winning the title also means that he will have to put someone over when he wraps things up. He is scheduled for three more appearances, and it is believed that he will wrestle on all of those occasions. Having each of them be an Intercontinental Championship match would potentially give three different wrestlers a significant push as they attempt to take the title away from him.
Wrestlers typically like to finish their careers by putting another talent over, and given the selfless nature of Cena, it’s very likely he will do that. Having him lose the title is a great way to do that, as someone gains something tangible to brag about when they have beaten him, which will allow them to continue moving forward with the storyline. Plus, it works as a babyface too, as they could honor him with an open challenge in a similar way to what Sami Zayn did with the United States Championship.
The Intercontinental Championship has always been prestigious, but having Cena hold the title instantly makes it even more so, as he is a legend of the business. Having him lose the title will make it feel even more important for whoever wins it, increasing the fan investment in the title. That will help the wrestlers who compete for the title in the immediate aftermath, which couldn’t have been achieved without putting the title on Cena in the first place. This is why it is wise to make such a smart decision, as not only does it honor John Cena’s career and make fans happy, but it also elevates the title and those Cena works with in the coming months.
