Report: John Cena does not want to break Ric Flair’s record

WWE fans have long kept a close eye on John Cena over the past couple of WrestleManias, because he is on the cusp of breaking Ric Flair’s 16-title record. However, it’s a distinction “The Face That Runs The Place” reportedly does not desire.

If John Cena were to win a 17th title and break the record for the most world championships in WWE, wrestling fans would definitely proclaim him worth of the honor. Ric Flair’s record has still stood in 2020 and will probably endure for another year, especially if Cena gets his wish.

Multiple sources in the WWE locker room told Sportskeeda’s Tom Colohue that Cena is “open” about not wanting to break Flair’s record of 16 championships.

In fact, Colohue was told that his “only desire” is to “enhance the careers” of others. Last year, we saw Cena put over Finn Balor – reportedly by his own request – and take a backseat to Becky Lynch in a segment that was designed to put over Becky as the company’s biggest star in the build to WrestleMania 35.

Cena’s role at WrestleMania 36 remains unclear, but Colohue’s reporting has made it seem like he could do something similar as last year. At ‘Mania 35, Cena didn’t wrestle, but he did appear as the “Dr. of Thuganomics” is a widely praised segment with Elias.

While a source told Colohue that Flair is “all for” Cena breaking the championship record, another source said that Cena believes he’s had “more than enough”.

Fans, again, would be fine with a wrestler of Cena’s caliber breaking Flair’s record for all he’s done for professional wrestling, but even they would agree with Cena’s apparent blunt assessment: he’s accomplished plenty.

It’s awesome that Cena wants to dedicate his remaining years in WWE to putting over the next generation of stars, but this is no surprise. Contrary to the narrative against him, Cena does want others to succeed and relished the fact that he wasn’t needed at WrestleMania last year. He’s clearly proud of the talent on the current roster and wants to do whatever he can to help them shine.

So if Cena truly doesn’t want a 17th, hopefully WWE grants his request. And, as a source cheekily noted to Colohue, this does open the door for Charlotte Flair to surpass her father’s record of 16 titles; it’s an honor that feels inevitable – and equally deserved – at this point, too.