Hiya!

The latest WWE pay-per-view event, Wrestlepalooza: Indianapolis, just ended and there were definitely a few notable things to talk about, such as this being AJ Lee‘s first in-ring action since leaving the WWE a while back and Stephanie Vaquer becoming the RAW Women’s Champion. However, there is one important thing we do need to talk about and it involves John Cena‘s loss to the returning Brock Lesnar.

It’s not exactly the loss itself but Wrestlepalooza: Indianapolis actually was one of his final 6 appearances until he officially retires from in-ring competition, allegedly. You might have noted I added the “allegedly” notation at the end there because there have been people predicting or, at the very least, hoping John Cena will extend his “retirement tour” to next year. As someone who has been watching his entire alleged final run in the WWE, I understand the sentiment.

After all, they pretty much bungled what should have been a legendary heel run at the start of the year. Then they just turned him face with a promo and that was it! John Cena was back to being a good guy! In short, his final run should have been so much better planned out instead of them just flying by the seat of their pants, which is what it felt like.

Even so, despite how his last year in the company has been and the fact John Cena, as I’m writing this, is slated to only appear 5 more times, I do think he should be true to his word and, even if the fans call for and demand it, should indeed retire from in-ring competition.

Like I said, the entire year didn’t really feel thought out but, at the same time, it did give us something we never thought we would see: John Cena as a bad guy. No, I haven’t forgotten his early days when he was a bad guy white rapper. I know he was a bad guy before. Then again, the reason why he became a face was because of his diss raps, which became a highlight on Smackdown! However, that feels like that was so long ago and kind of a fever dream after he became the WWE Champion when he defeated JBL for the belt at Wrestlemania 21.

That was the start of the “Super Cena” era and when people started to chant “John Cena sucks” because he seemed to just keep winning. More importantly, this was the time when John Cena was cemented as the WWE’s ultimate good guy. The guy who could do no wrong and would manage to beat the odds through his hustle, loyalty and respect or something like that. That’s how most of today’s wrestling fans saw John Cena.

Now, I don’t think they wouldn’t have made him turn heel if they didn’t want his final year in the WWE to be memorable and, if they extended his stay, it would just feel like stunt booking. I guess, in a way, it was. However, it wouldn’t mean as much if he just soldiered on as if it didn’t happen if he decides to stay.

There’s also the matter on how, despite the WWE not really going all-out to make it feel extra special, giving an exact timeframe for how long John Cena will be in the WWE already made it feel special. This is the last year we get to see him compete in RAW, Smackdown or any of the pay-per-views! There was a finality to it all and it made whenever John Cena would appear instantly a must-watch show! All of them were special because, well, we weren’t going to see him anymore! This is why John Cena was getting really big reactions as, despite us chanting “John Cena sucks” during the Super Cena phase, we did eventually realize, even if we really didn’t like him then, he was still giving us WWE fans what we wanted.

Now, if he does decide to extend his retirement tour, I know there are going to be fans who would be happy. Personally, I would not. Why? That’s because I don’t like to be lied to! I guess the best example of this when it comes to the WWE involves John Cena and, coincidentally, The Rock who supposedly orchestrated John Cena’s heel turn in kayfabe. Way before John Cena even thought of retiring, he had a feud with The Rock, who was retired back then but came back to face John Cena at Wrestlemania 28 for the WWE Championship. Billed as “Once in a Lifetime,” this felt special because, well, there was no way they would fight again since The Rock would be back in Hollywood after Wrestlemania 28, right?

Call me naive but a young Robin believed this was it. All of the bad blood between the two of them culminated in this explosive match with The Rock coming out on top. That was supposed to be it because it was billed as “Once in a Lifetime,” which would mean in only happens once in a lifetime!

Well, I have egg on my face for believing the WWE because, a year later, at Wrestlemania 29 no less, there they both were again! There was John Cena again. There was The Rock again. They were still feuding but the twist is they were now fighting for the WWE Championship! So, we had this convoluted turn of events where CM Punk had to lose the WWE Championship to The Rock and John Cena had to win the 2013 Royal Rumble and, oh! What a coincidence! We’re getting John Cena and The Rock again! Boo! Boo, I say!

There was a lot of things which really grinded my gears on the situation. Seeing CM Punk having to lose to facilitate this entire mess is a big part of it. However, when it dawned on me we were getting a repeat of John Cena and The Rock which was supposed to only happen once in a lifetime, that really upset me! I should hire Lionel Hutz and sue the WWE for false advertising!

However, the final reason why John Cena should be true to his word and retire from the WWE by the end of the year is because, essentially, his time isn’t now. He’s had a good career and he deserves to move on. John Cena gave the company for over 20 years now. He’s not a spring chicken anymore and all the bumps he’s done in the ring has probably taken a toll on his body. It’s a miracle he’s still competing in the squared circle as he’s just a couple of years shy of 50 years old!

To put that into perspective, Ric Flair was paling around as part of the Evolution faction at 53 years old! At that point, he was already considered old! Sure, he was still taking bumps in the ring but it didn’t look good anymore because it looked like they were beating on an old man then! Do you want to see John Cena as an old man in the ring? I don’t think so!

In short, while there are cries to get John Cena to stay a little longer, I say he deserves to retire now. He’s had a good career and he is giving us one final run. We should appreciate the time we have with him rather than ask for more until he cracks. John Cena deserves to be healthy when he does finally hear his music once he walks back to gorilla position. I’m not saying he can’t make a return here and there. I would like to see him in a future Royal Rumble as a nostalgic act or on a RAW in his hometown or something like that. As an active wrestler, I think it’s time for him to hang up his wrestling gear and enjoy his life while he still can.

Byee!

What do you think of John Cena’s entire retirement tour? Do you think he should extend it? Let me know in the comments section below!