John Cena: News, Rumors on WWE Star's Recovery from Surgery for Week of March 10

John Cena will not compete at WrestleMania.

The announcement was made by the man himself at Tuesday's press conference announcing Orlando as the site of next year's Showcase of the Immortals.

The Washington Post was one of the numerous publications to cover the media event and transcribed Cena's announcement: "And as WrestleMania 32 beckons, I am doing all that I can, but my position is that of a member of the WWE Universe—for the first time in a decade-and-a-half, I will watch WrestleMania."

The announcement brings to an end speculation that Cena may dig deep and turn in a superhuman effort to get back inside the squared circle in time for the biggest extravaganza in sports entertainment. Though he has done so countless times before, most notably at the 2008 Royal Rumble, that will not be the case come April 3 in Dallas.

That does not mean he will not, in some manner, appear on the broadcast. With The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mick Foley all slated to be in the show in some form or fashion, Cena could find himself in a groundbreaking segment involving those Attitude Era greats.

Or he could simply sit back, relax and let the spotlight shine on the stars of tomorrow, whose job it will be to assume the mantle for World Wrestling Entertainment when The Champ can no longer compete.

Cena's absence from the 'Mania card is the end of a lengthy streak that does not get nearly enough recognition from wrestling historians. By missing this year's show, Cena snaps a 12-year streak of consecutive appearances that is tied with Bret "Hitman" Hart and "The Viper" Randy Orton for second all-time.

Superstar	Consecutive Appearances
The Undertaker	15
John Cena	12
Bret Hart	12
Randy Orton	12
Triple H	8

Ironically, Orton will also miss this year's event.

Cena was the topic of discussion as Vince McMahon sat down with Bryan Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel for a rare interview during Tuesday's media blitz. First, he discussed the effect that Cena's absence has on him and WWE Creative for this year's WrestleMania:

"

Every year you have to outdo yourself. This year was difficult because John Cena was not a part of it. We have to reach way down and try and come up with things you haven't done before and also hold back surprises that the audience does not know. They expect that from us.

"

The quote seems to suggest that there is a sense of complacency within the company. With Cena as its franchise, it does not necessarily have to work as hard as it would otherwise. Without him available for this year's broadcast, McMahon and his staff are forced to dig deep and provide a show that leaves fans satisfied despite the lack of star power at their disposal.

McMahon continued, discussing just how much Cena means to him personally, as well as his company:

"

John is Babe Ruth, he's everything to us. And a real warrior. I don't know how long he's going to pursue this. ... I don't know if it's going to be 70 like me, but he'll try. It's just in him and he loves it so much, even when he was a little kid. I don't know if you've seen some of the videos where he'd have a mini-championship belt made out of cardboard and all that kind of stuff. And on top of it, he's a hell of a guy.

"

It is no surprise that McMahon speaks so highly of his premier star. Any promoter would. But the boss clearly admires Cena's worth ethic, his passion for the sport and the quality of man that he is. 

McMahon is a tireless worker, so the fact that he has a star who mirrors his dedication to the sport is incredibly important and, conversely, the likely reason he is so comfortable keeping Cena in the top spot on his roster.

When not speaking at press conferences and having praise heaped on him by the most powerful man in professional wrestling, Cena has kept busy on social media, continuing to post influential and inspiring messages on his official Twitter account.

In some ways, they appear to be motivating him as much as they do his millions of fans around the globe.

The revelation that Cena will not compete at WrestleMania answers one of the biggest questions surrounding this year's event. It also frees up WWE Creative to focus on the stars that are on the card, such as Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, The New Day, AJ Styles and Kevin Owens.

There will be a dark cloud hanging over the show, though. If it does not live up to past incarnations, there will inevitably be those within the company who question whether or not that has to do with the absence of the most important star on the roster.

If they determine it does, you can be assured that his profile in the company will increase even more than it already has over the last 11 years.

For better or worse.