John Cena The Veteran – The Correct Decision?

In the latest episode of Monday Night RAW, Rusev and Lana cut a promo in “tribute” of John Cena, the Bulgarian’s opponent for Fast Lane. Within this backhanded celebration of the 15-time world champion’s career, Rusev focused on Cena’s many battles and beatings that he has withstood in his dozen-plus years in the WWE. The United States Champion would go on to call Cena an old man and a veteran that will eventually be crushed by the greater strength and youth of the Super Athlete.

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This was one of Rusev’s most sterling performances on the microphone, as he made it perfectly clear that he was not intimidated by Cena at this stage of his career. And to his credit Cena, who has often relied too heavily on the corny and juvenile promo, put the strength and dominance of Rusev over immensely well in his response. When he gets serious, he can produce some of the best promos of anyone on the roster. And Cena has seemingly not taken Rusev’s jabs about his age to heart, as he looks to beat some discipline and respect into the young performer at the upcoming PPV.

However, even though Cena has seemingly taken his new veteran role in his stride, numerous people backstage have been a little more bemused by this new outlook. They seem to feel that Cena’s status as the top merchandise seller and a huge appeal to young kids and women has led to those backstage considering this a ludicrous decision. They also point to the fact that Cena doesn’t exactly have the look of a veteran, being only 37 years old and able to pass for much younger.

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Personally, those that have carried such a reaction to this change in Cena’s character is being remarkably short-sighted. They are correct in suggesting that Cena is still the most over superstar in the company, and remains one of the biggest stars in wrestling history. But, they cannot simply continue to place the burden of the WWE on his broad shoulders, especially with the neck and pectoral injuries he’s suffered. He is still a golden goose that continues to bring in the cash for the company, so surely it is the perfect time to begin the transition for his inevitable departure within the next decade. It has already shown signs of beginning when Cena was placed in a feud with Bray Wyatt at last year’s WrestleMania, rather than hoisted into the main event.

Think about it: Cena is a huge draw that can now be used in a role to create the next generation of superstars. With Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose still well below the age of 35, they will be looked to in keeping the WWE the powerhouse it has become in the wake of Cena’s departure. Those backstage that consider the decision to make Cena into a veteran competitor as an unfathomable choice are clearly fantasizing a scenario where he stays the same age and never retires. I hate to awake them from that daydream, but they need to prepare for the future rather than looking to scrape every penny they can in the present.

I applaud the fact that Cena appears willing to take on this role, as he is certainly under no obligation to take on the role of a Bruno Sammartino figure in the late 1970’s. As the biggest star in the company, and someone that they couldn’t afford to lose for the revenue and audience he appeals to, Cena could be politicking to improve his own standing for the moment where he must retire. Instead, it appears that he has a considerable interest in preparing for the next generation as well, and will utilize the considerable drawing power he has to build them up for when he departs. It is the smart and most worthwhile decision for the both Cena and the WWE as a whole.

Cena will still rake in the money from his massive fan base, even if he were to start losing more often to rising stars like Reigns, Rollins or in his upcoming feud with Rusev. It’s not as though he is being cast aside from the main event and forced to work with Adam Rose or Fandango. Cena will win more world championships and be a pivotal part of the main event from now until his retirement. The fact that he has made a noticeable transition to using his name to shine the spotlight on younger stars will be beneficial in the long run.

And quite frankly, it’s not as though the status of veteran can be ignored on Cena for much longer. His age added to the fact that he’s closing in on fifteen years as a superstar and has multiple world title reigns all equal a veteran. So, I for one am glad that the decision has seemingly been made to have Cena spend his final years on top to help secure the future of the company and its newest superstars.

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