2017 may be a groundbreaking year for John Cena, but also one that looks very much like it did at the end of 2016.
“I’m not done. I’m not leaving. And I’m sick of this ‘new era’ BS. It ain’t the ‘new era,’ it’s the ‘my time is now’ era.”
This was possibly the most eye-opening and emphasized part of John Cena’s WWE return promo last Tuesday night on SmackDown Live. It spoke volumes about the thunderous stamp he wants to make, to prove that this isn’t the end of the line for him in the wrestling world.
Sure, Cena is back and all, but it’s at the time where WWE uses all of the tricks that they have up their sleeves; he had pretty much been expected to return for the Royal Rumble and through WrestleMania. So, things are going par for the course.
2017 is setting up to be the year that Cena gets the illustrious 16th world championship that he and WWE have played up for the past two-plus years; it’s actually been that long since his last reign with a top title, having only held it for 49 days in 2014. Both 2015 and 2016 saw him not get a run at the very top, a transition that seemed quiet in 2015 but boisterous last year with AJ Styles, his upcoming Royal Rumble sparring partner, shouting that there is a “New Face That Runs the Place.” When Styles beat Cena at SummerSlam, this notion screamed louder than it ever had.
However, we are at a point where fans seem to think that the Leader of the Cenation’s “time is now” — which it actually may be. We can’t know for sure if WWE is clamoring to pull the trigger on that next title reign on 2017, but after being away from the scene for so long, it seems like we’re getting to that point.
The Royal Rumble seems like the place to give Cena his title win. Sorry, AJ Styles fans. We don’t know for sure when the West Newbury, MA native is going away again, but you can be sure that he’s going to stick around for WrestleMania season.
By winning at the Alamodome, Cena would be able to start a potential reign that lasts about 60 days. The Face That Runs the Place as the champion, heading into WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year? That’s an ultimate selling point that WWE only has so much time left to use. Take advantage now before he’s gone forever, because no one else has been built into a marketing force like Cena. Roman Reigns may be on a path to that point, but it will take a few more years.
Cena’s 16th title run may not have a short shelf life, though, as noted; 60 days isn’t much for a world championship reign. Who’s going to take the belt off of him and go on a lengthy run? Undertaker isn’t going to do a full-time schedule. Goldberg and Brock Lesnar are likely going to collide at WrestleMania. Reigns could be Universal Champion. Rollins is going to be involved with Triple H.
The lack of options may indicate that WrestleMania may not be the end of the line for a potential Cena title reign. However, that doesn’t mean a loss won’t eventually happen.
Cena is eventually going to go away — again. Similar to what happened before his October 2015 departure, expect him to “do the job” like he did for Alberto Del Rio and the U.S. Championship (Cena left to film American Grit). It may be relatively soon after WrestleMania too, which is only speculation, but he is set to film “The Pact” sometime in 2017.
Whenever Cena loses the belt, it will immediately put his future in doubt for the rest of 2017. He didn’t hide his displeasure at all on Talking Smack with his previous “part timer” comments about The Rock, something that the former U.S. Champion noted was some of the “stupidest” things he’s said. Cena’s seeing what life is like making money while not taking bumps, so why wouldn’t he take back what he said? He’s probably making a lot of money wrestling fewer dates than ever, while adding to his cash stack by taking roles on TV.
If Cena’s only going to wrestle a handful of dates after his title reign, then pretty much expect him back for Money in the Bank, SummerSlam and maybe one or two brand split PPVs to close out 2017. That way, WWE can get the most out of him as a marketing tool for these shows, especially if his appearances aren’t going to come around as often. It sounds somewhat similar to what Brock Lesnar does, except Cena will work more dates and be in action on SmackDown Live.
The back half of 2017 should see Cena feud with a prominent name or two — maybe Bray Wyatt, rekindling their 2014 program. Trying something with Dean Ambrose may be an option as well given their teased tension on SmackDown Live last fall.
There is one thing that can’t be ruled out, though, which could take place in the midst of all of this—a heel turn.
It’s the booking decision that WWE has pretty much deemed impossible for their longtime top guy. While going off of one episode of SmackDown hardly makes this a guarantee, Cena showed a bit of an edgier side. This wasn’t necessarily “dark,” but he seemed to be angry with the new faces in WWE and everyone assuming he’s “gone for Hollywood.” It may have been a subtle tease at what’s to come — or absolutely nothing.
If a heel turn is in store for Cena, it will revolutionize the WWE landscape in 2017. It’s the bold move that would shake the company’s shows to the core, potentially providing the freshest angle they’ve produced In years at a time where doing something “new” doesn’t come up often.
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In 2017, we can expect the John Cena we saw toward the end of 2016—the semi-active Superstar who will be around when it matters, and is going to show up when a brand-exclusive show needs a boost. You will still be able to see him, though, except it will be on the big screen.