The WWE Universe is still reeling from the recent retirement tour of the 16-time world champion, John Cena. As the wrestling world bid farewell to one of its most beloved superstars, a question has been lingering in the minds of many – was it necessary for Cena to lose so many high-profile matches on his way out the door?
According to a recent interview with wrestling veteran and AAA’s Konnan, the answer is a resounding “no.” Konnan, a veteran of the wrestling industry with over two decades of experience, took issue with the creative decisions that led to Cena’s retirement tour, which saw him lose to a number of younger talents, including some who many considered to be on the cusp of stardom.
“It’s just not the way you want to go out,” Konnan said in a recent interview with this publication. “John Cena is a legend, a true icon of this business. He deserves better than to be treated like a sacrificial lamb at the altar of the WWE’s creative agenda.”
Konnan’s comments are a reflection of the sentiment that many fans shared on social media as Cena’s retirement tour progressed. While Cena’s character arc was always going to be one of his greatest assets, his losses to younger talent took away from the sense of impact and gravitas that his retirement should have had.
“Let’s be real, John Cena is John Cena,” Konnan said. “He’s a draw, he’s a box office sensation, and he’s a legendary performer. To see him lose to a guy like Shinsuke Nakamura or Cody Rhodes, it just didn’t feel right. It felt like the WWE was more concerned with advancing the careers of their younger talent than with giving Cena the sendoff he deserved.”
This criticism is not without merit. Cena’s retirement tour was widely panned by fans and critics alike, with many feeling that it was a missed opportunity to give the WWE’s all-time great a fitting farewell.
According to sources close to WWE Creative, the decision to have Cena lose to younger talent was a deliberate choice aimed at creating a sense of continuity and passing the torch to the next generation of WWE Superstars.
“We wanted to create a sense of transition and progression,” one source said. “We felt that having Cena lose to younger talent would help to make his retirement feel more like the end of an era, rather than just a random occurrence. It was a tough decision, but we felt it was the right one.”
However, for many fans, this decision only served to detract from the impact of Cena’s retirement. And for Konnan, it’s a decision that he feels will have lasting consequences for the WWE.
“It’s a shame, because I think the WWE missed an opportunity to make Cena’s retirement truly special,” Konnan said. “Instead, they chose to use him as a stepping stone for younger talent. I’m not sure what the long-term implications of that decision will be, but I do know that it’s not a good look for the WWE.”
As the dust settles on Cena’s retirement, one thing is clear – the WWE has a long road ahead of it in terms of rebuilding and rebranding itself as a legitimate player in the world of professional wrestling. And for Konnan, it’s a road that they should have taken a different route on.
“We’re living in a different time now, where the WWE needs to be more innovative and more willing to take risks,” Konnan said. “They need to be willing to push the envelope and take chances on new talent and new ideas. And right now, I don’t see them doing that. I see them playing it safe, and that’s not going to cut it in this industry.”
In the end, Konnan’s comments serve as a stark reminder that in the world of professional wrestling, the line between legend and footnote is always thin. And for John Cena, his retirement tour will always be remembered as a reminder of what could have been.
The Impact on WWE’s Creative
Cena’s retirement tour has left many wondering what it means for the WWE’s creative direction going forward. Will they continue to prioritize the advancement of younger talent over the needs of established stars? Or will they learn from their mistakes and take a more nuanced approach to storytelling?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the WWE has a long road ahead of it in terms of rebuilding its creative team and rebranding itself as a legitimate player in the world of professional wrestling.
The Future of WWE’s Legends
As Cena’s retirement tour comes to a close, many are left wondering what’s next for the WWE’s legends. Will they continue to be used as props for younger talent, or will they be given the respect and recognition they deserve?
For Konnan, the answer is clear – the WWE needs to start treating its legends with the respect and dignity they deserve.
“The WWE needs to start recognizing its legends for who they are – icons of this business,” Konnan said. “They need to start giving them the respect and the recognition they deserve, rather than using them as stepping stones for younger talent. It’s time for the WWE to start taking care of its own, and that includes its legends.”
In the end, Cena’s retirement tour will always be remembered as a reminder of what could have been. But for Konnan, it’s a reminder that the WWE still has a long way to go in terms of respecting its legends and giving them the sendoff they deserve.
The Verdict
John Cena’s retirement tour was always going to be a difficult act to follow, but it’s clear that the WWE dropped the ball in terms of giving him a fitting farewell. As the dust settles on Cena’s retirement, one thing is clear – the WWE has a long road ahead of it in terms of rebuilding and rebranding itself as a legitimate player in the world of professional wrestling.
And for Konnan, it’s a road that they should have taken a different route on.
“We’re living in a different time now, where the WWE needs to be more innovative and more willing to take risks,” Konnan said. “They need to be willing to push the envelope and take chances on new talent and new ideas. And right now, I don’t see them doing that. I see them playing it safe, and that’s not going to cut it in this industry.”