WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for March 12

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Big Match John is Delusional

Doubting John Cena is even less interesting than Super Cena. At least Super Cena gave fans something to complain about – “HOW THE HELL DID HE KICK OUT OF SEVENTEEN ROCK BOTTOMS?” or whatever. But Doubting Cena? It’s dumb.

Somehow, despite having been John Cena for the past 40 years in real life, and having been John Cena in WWE for the past 16 years, this guy doesn’t think he’s going to have a match at WrestleMania. He claims he’s going to go as a fan – which prompts him to find the worst stereotypical example of a pro wrestling fan in the crowd and drink his beer.

After some sing-songy chants, Cena decides to go “off-script” and issue a challenge to The Undertaker for a match at WrestleMania. It’s Cena’s “I’m Keith Hernandez” moment – he finally realized that he’s untouchable and can do whatever he wants. And because tonight is all about breaking the last shreds of kayfabe that may exist, and obliterating fourth walls, Cena gets REAL.

Technically, it’s a good promo. Cena attacks Taker in a very real way – saying Taker is best known these days for hiding out after a failure, while Cena gets back up so he can fail again if necessary. It gets a little personal – referencing Michelle McCool’s Instagram? So 2018, John.

Where it loses me is when Cena says Taker is an egomaniac who wants to protect his legacy. Hey, John – if anyone has earned that right, it’s a guy who took what should have been a dead in the water gimmick like zombie morticiain and made it work – for a quarter century. And Cena saying Undertaker isn’t washed up? Has he been watching the most recent Taker matches? Hip surgery can’t fix being 52 and having 30 years of bumps on your resume.

It’s what fans want to see, so I get why they’re doing it. But it’s far too late for this to be a meaningful match. This will be Triple H vs. Sting at best.