While John Cena has been hitting it big in Hollywood with blockbuster films, he is still connected to his professional wrestling roots as he still appears on WWE. He has made appearances multiple times since his last regular appearance in 2017. But he has had a terrible run in the ring lately, with multiple losses against up-and-comers.
Cena lost two main championships in 2023, with one against Austin Theory in Wrestlemania39 and then against Solo Sikoa in a WWE Crown Jewel match. While Cena recently revealed that he is planning his exit strategy from the federation, fans of the Peacemaker star are annoyed at WWE for treating its star player like any other wrestler.
John Cena’s Achievements In WWE
John Cena has worked as a professional wrestler in the WWE for over twenty years and gained worldwide stardom for his good-guy persona. He has feuded with prominent WWE legends such as Booker T, Edge, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, and Kurt Angle among others. He has also held many titles with a record 16-time world champion.
Cena unofficially debuted as The Prototype in WWE Smackdown and then had his first bout against Kurt Angle in 2002. John Cena won his first World Championship in 2005 at Wrestlemania 21 and retained it the next year. He has also won the WWE Tag Team Championship, winning his first with Shawn Michaels and then with The Miz.
John Cena made history by winning the United States Championship five times, with his first being against Big Show in Wrestlemania 20. John Cena also headlined the Wrestlemania event five times, being one of the most celebrated wrestlers to have the opportunity to do so. Though Cena had a polarizing career, he was still considered to be a legend in the WWE.
Fans Are Frustrated At John Cena’s Humiliation In The Ring
Since 2017, John Cena has been concentrating on his acting career more and has starred in films such as The Suicide Squad, The Marine, Hidden Strike, Fast X, Bumblebee, and more. The actor has not made a regular appearance in the ring, although he has not completely retired from the WWE either.
However, the wrestler recently revealed to People Magazine his plans to step away from the ring in the near future as he’s at an age where he is not at his prime. He mentioned that he would plan a big finale for his exit and then would like to take up a more mentor-like position in the WWE. He said,
“Most athletes’ careers last three to five years. We’re talking 20 years here for me. So, you’ve got to ask yourself, like, what else do I know? What else do I want to pursue? What else am I curious about?… I basically just want to still leave WWE with my head up high and for the audience to be able to appreciate the effort that I’ve given.”
Also read: John Cena Wants to “Leave WWE” With His Head Up High, Spills His Plans After WWE Retirement
John Cena’s performance in the ring has also been underwhelming for the past few years. He lost Wrestlemania39 against the wrestler Austin Theory with whom he had been feuding in the ring while he more recently lost the WWE Crown Jewel 2023 against Solo Sikoa. Many fans have been frustrated with these losses as they feel that John Cena was not getting his due as a legendary wrestler.
The booking has been questionable. Why are they treating Cena as a jobber when he’s this iconic legendary figure ?
— Vince Ruthless Aggressive (@TheCenaxDivas) January 20, 2024
Because John Cena doesn’t need to win matches in 2023-2024. He’ll never be considered a jobber, he’s JOHN CENA. He’s at the stage of his career where he’s only there to put others over. If he didn’t want to be treated this way, he probably wouldn’t allow it
— Chrome Wrestling (@ChromeWrestling) January 20, 2024
Defeating John Cena should be a HUGE HUGE deal.
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) January 20, 2024
Why aren't WWE following up these victories with anything meaningful? pic.twitter.com/4vIWYshftF
Theory was still ok I still have no idea why Cena got squashed by Solo? Solo just didn’t win that he actually destroyed Cena
— Pat (@BlueGeek07) January 20, 2024
Cena is at the time of his career where he's giving back to the future.
— Dillon Murway (@DMurway) January 20, 2024
With his retirement from the ring soon on the horizon, John Cena’s loss may just be a part of a larger comeback story for him to gracefully exit the stage. Despite his losses, everyone seems to agree that John Cena has already made it to the Hall of Fame.
