WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 5 Reason AJ Styles Should Defeat John Cena
By Dean Siemon
Credit: WWE.com
5. Cena is No Longer the Main Event Attraction
We are a few years past the height of John Cena’s popularity in the WWE. While there’s no denying that he made major contributions to the WWE for more than a decade, his time has passed. Sure, his entrance theme can continue to claim that it’s still “now,” since he’s still one of the most requested WWE superstars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He’s also still getting roles in a few movies here and there.
But this is a new generation of the WWE. One that doesn’t need John Cena to be the main event staple that he once was. Fans are tuning in to see superstars like AJ Styles hold onto the WWE Championship. This is the same generation of WWE that has Kevin Owens headlining Raw as the WWE Universal Champion. It arguably started back when Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns became big stars.
Throw in the names of superstars who could be big in WWE’s future, John Cena is no longer a priority for the company. That’s not to say he’s irrelevant. But he doesn’t need to be. The WWE has plenty of star power to where he can start taking time off here and there.
Cena might be better suited for a veteran role similar to Shawn Michaels’ last run in the WWE – putting over younger superstars and getting the occasional main event matches.