WWE Week in Review: John Cena Finds His Edge, Can He Keep It?

Character development is a crucial aspect to any story, and the tales that play out on our television screens each week on WWE television are no different. For what seems like ages, John Cena has been top dog in the WWE, but no character is immune to getting stale when they fail to evolve.

In the summer of 2011, the number of fans turning on Cena began to multiply. Their growth was prompted by CM Punk, who highlighted Cena's character faults in multiple "shoot promos." In fact, so many fans agreed with what Punk was saying, he became a babyface.  

The feud between Cena and Punk reached a fever pitch at Money in the Bank, where Punk's hometown crowd in Chicago treated the WWE universe to one of the most electrifying entrances in recent memory. Punk was greeted as a hero, and the boos for Cena were deafening. Finally, WWE had to acknowledge that not everyone loved John Cena; actually, quite a few people loathed him.

The winds of change were blowing hard on WWE Monday Night Raw last week. Kane's pursuit of John Cena "embracing the hate" hit pay dirt. 

Cena's friend Zack Ryder was injured by Kane the week before and was set to defend his United States Championship against Jack Swagger. Ryder wasn't cleared by doctors to wrestle but was sent out to defend his championship regardless.

Swagger crushed him.

Cena was livid backstage, and he confronted Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis appeased Cena by giving him a match with Swagger. What happened next, no one saw coming.

Cena rushed the ring and attacked Swagger before the bell could be rung to start the match. Cena followed Swagger out of the ring and dished out a vicious beating. He repeatedly slammed Swagger's head into the announce table and then threw him into the steel steps. The steps separated, and Swagger was laid out on the bottom half, defenseless.  

Cena lifted the top half into the air, ready to bring it down on the motionless Swagger. With that, Kane spoiled the fun, coming on the screen in a pre-taped promo. Kane had gotten to Cena, and when Cena realized it, he was stunned. So were the fans, shocked by Cena finding his edge.

Forget about a Cena heel turn, it's too risky. Instead, what the fans should be asking for is some true development of Cena's character. It seems that we're getting just that, but will WWE and Cena stick to their guns in this change?

The world will know soon enough, as Kane and Cena will meet in the ring at the Royal Rumble one week from today. Here's to hoping Cena doesn't revert back to his old ways.