Examining Impact John Cena's Absence Has Had on Buildup to WWE Backlash 2016

John Cena's absence during the build to Sunday's WWE Backlash 2016 has created a hole in the pay-per-view's card. But because of that opening, other Superstars have been able to step into the limelight.

Cena is normally front and center ahead of a WWE PPV. If he's not in the main event or the world title chase, he is in some other prominent mach. And he has been for a decade.

Not this time around.

SmackDown's first brand-exclusive PPV since the draft in July won't feature the leader of the Cenation. Cena has had less airtime on the blue brand before Backlash than Heath Slater's kids.  

As seen on the Internet Wrestling Database, Cena has been relegated to working dark matches after SmackDown goes off the air since SummerSlam.

That has left many, including DC Matthews of the New Age Insiders podcast, confused over how WWE is handling Cena:

The 15-time world champ recently announced why he wouldn't be at Backlash, tweeting that he will instead be working the international tour with the Raw Superstars: 

WWE's decision to use Cena like this rather than as a featured part of the upcoming PPV has been good news in a way, creating opportunities for others.

New Faces in the Spotlight

All the TV time normally dedicated to Cena's victories and speeches has been up for grabs for the past three weeks.  

Bray Wyatt is in the midst of an intriguing feud with Randy Orton. The Eater of Worlds has been one of the most prominent stars of SmackDown since SummerSlam, thanks to having ample time to deliver his eerie rants.

That might not have been the case with Cena around chasing down a foe of his own.

And Slater has to be thankful for the current Cena situation. With the future Hall of Famer on TV each Tuesday, WWE may not have carved out so much space for Slater's story.

The perennial underdog, though, has been a featured part of the show of late. His pursuit of a SmackDown roster spot by way of winning the tag team tournament has led to WWE's sleeper hit of the year.

SmackDown traveled to Slater's trailer to capture him in his home environment. He and Rhyno battled The Headbangers, who hadn't been with WWE for 16 years, to advance in the tag team tournament.

With Cena around, WWE may not have been forced to go so far outside of the box. Slater, Wyatt and the women's division are among the beneficiaries of a Cena-less SmackDown.

More Momentum for Styles 

Cena's ghost still lingers around SmackDown.

Even without appearing on the show in weeks, he has still played a major role in the WWE World Championship match. As AJ Styles prepares to face Dean Ambrose for that title, Cena has been a key narrative tool.

Styles continually brags about besting Cena at SummerSlam. He wears Cena's "Never Give Up" wristband. He has demanded Cena's "The Face That Runs the Place" nickname be transferred to him.

The story of The Phenomenal One running around boasting about knocking off Cena has worked partly due to Cena not being around.

WWE could spell it out and play it up more, but the fact Cena has been missing in action since his SummerSlam loss implies that Styles has affected him. Whether Cena is mentally broken or physically drained isn't clear, but Styles sent him into oblivion.

That has boosted Styles ahead of his clash with Ambrose. 

Still, it's strange Cena has been reduced to a subplot to someone else's story. And Backlash could use more star power.

A Thin Card

Just days away from Backlash, there are a mere six matches announced, including a "second-chance" bout between The Hype Bros and The Usos to see who faces Slater and Rhyno in the tag tourney finals, per WWE.com.

That could mean that every contest will get a huge amount of time, but the card doesn't feel complete.

Baron Corbin, Kane, Apollo Crews, Breezango and Erick Rowan are all set to miss out on the PPV. Were Cena a part of the pre-Backlash fun, one of those Superstars could have had a top-flight opponent instead.

Crews vs. Cena could have been the story of the young gun trying to prove himself against the longstanding king of WWE. Corbin vs. Cena would be a great way to show off The Lone Wolf's destructive power—had he left the powerhouse hurt during the road to Backlash.

Add Cena, and Backlash would be a bigger show, and it would help emphatically kick off the return of the brand split.

Instead, WWE chose to have Cena head to Asia, entertain fans once SmackDown was over and make way for those who may rule the New Era. It's a decision that opened the door for Slater's surprise rise but also has Backlash in need of another marquee name.