Fight Owens Fight/Let’s go Cena: More than just doing the Honors

Fight Owens Fight/Let’s go Cena: More than just doing the Honors

 By Matt Lingerfelt 

John Cena, without a doubt is one of the hardest, if not THE hardest worker, in the WWE locker room. He is the “Hulk Hogan” or “Steve Austin” for this era. Like him or not, no one can deny the fact John Cena has been carrying WWE for the past decade. Personally I like Cena, I enjoy and respect the work he does in and out of the ring. However, he is now probably on what is the downward side of the peak in his career. 

When Cena was given the WWE United States Championship, I thought that this was one sign, that WWE was having him take a step back, and letting the younger generation of talent try to take the main event spotlight.  Having Roman Reigns in the Main Event at WrestleMania, and then having Rollins come in and cash in the Money in the Bank contract, and win, was another.

But in the back of my mind, I always had the suspicion that WWE would eventually come back to Cena.  They would let the newer talent have a little bit of time in the spotlight and then return to the one thing that they would be most comfortable with, Cena.  But last night at the Elimination Pay-Per-View, they didn’t.  In a non-main event match, Cena did the honors. Not only did Cena loose, but he also lost to Kevin Owens, a talent who is not even on the main roster in the WWE.

Now Kevin Owens, for all intensive purposes, is not a rookie to the business of Professional Wrestling. He is a seasoned veteran that has been in the business for over fifteen years. Under the name Kevin Steen, he has wrestled in many independent promotions, most notably Ring of Honor. There he was the ROH World Champion and ROH World Tag Team Champion. He knows the business, but more importantly he knows how to wrestle. And that was evident in last nights match against Cena. 

The match last night between Cena and Owens was by far THE MATCH OF THE YEAR…so far. Not only did Owens hold his own against Cena, but Owens, at times, seem to be a step or two ahead of Cena. Knowing when to slow down to allow the audience to catch up, speeding up with the intensity when the time was right.  It was watching two veterans in the ring, doing what they do best…Wrestle.

With that said, the final results of the match last night, is more than John Cena doing the honors for another talent.  It was what the win for Owens, and maybe more importantly what the loss for Cena represented. It was a sign that showed WWE’s confidence and willingness to go forward with the new crop of talent that they have.  It showed that when the time was right, and the talent was ready, WWE would be willing to allow anyone an opportunity.  Except maybe Dolph Ziggler…..

Now, I do not doubt that in time WWE will eventually bring Cena back to the main event.  I also have no doubt that in time; Cena will eventually have more World Heavyweight Titles than Ric Flair.  Records are made to be broken… Just ask the UNDERTAKER..

But maybe this is a sign of lessons learned from years before. Back when new talent could never get a chance, because the “Old Dogs” wouldn’t leave the yard.  Or maybe it’s an even bigger sign. A sign where Vince McMahon is slowly, but surely handing over the creative control to HHH and Stephanie.  

Only time will tell, and with matches like the one we saw last night between Owens and Cena…. I think we all might just enjoy this!!!