Examining the Effects of a Potential John Cena Loss to Randy Orton

Let’s be frank: John Cena’s clash with Randy Orton at this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell is hardly anything to be excited for. These two have faced each other in too many pay-per-view matches to count. It’s a dull, uninspiring bout that feels like something a desperate booking team with no new ideas would churn out.

The prospect of Cena-Orton going on last at the event, instead of the far more compelling Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose match, is also a rather depressing prospect. Way to push the new stars, WWE.

Honestly, only Triple H’s announcement on Raw that the winner would be the new No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship has served to give any intrigue to the bout.

Credit: WWE.com

The added stipulation of a title shot does raise some interesting questions concerning Cena’s future.

Cena could, of course, defeat The Viper and walk out of Dallas with a title shot against Brock Lesnar—and thus go on to face the former MMA star for a third time on pay-per-view at some point down the road. It would certainly be consistent with the booking team’s inability to seemingly come up with new ideas right now.

Ideally, though, WWE will script Cena to lose at the show. There’s little to be accomplished in throwing him back into the title scene.

First of all, as mentioned, it’s hard to see anyone being terribly keen to see him clash with Lesnar once again. Their feud was very entertaining for a while, sure, but it has simply run its course now. Even Paul Heyman—surely one of the best talkers in wrestling history—can no longer save his verbal clashes with Cena from becoming dull and pedestrian.

Besides, Orton vs. Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is an appealing and tempting option.

After a decent but unremarkable run as a heel, it looks like Orton is turning back babyface. This was reinforced at the end of Monday’s Raw when Seth Rollins viciously curb-stomped him.

Credit: WWE.com

A clash with Lesnar over the title could be next for a newly turned Orton. It would be a great idea, too. It’s a new rivalry and would surely appeal to more people than yet another interminable Cena-Lesnar bout.

It would also help get Orton’s babyface turn off to a good start. Fans will be rushing to get behind The Viper as he attempts to end Lesnar’s reign of terror.

No doubt the (eventual) title match the two would produce would be very solid too.

Besides, a loss to Orton in Dallas would free Cena up for a new foe—he could perhaps return to his unfinished business with Rollins. Rollins, too, will presumably find himself at a loose end after his feud-ending bout with Ambrose at the pay-per-view and will need a fresh challenger.

Credit: WWE.com

A Rollins-Cena feud sounds like a decent idea, providing WWE is willing to make sure the former Ring of Honor performer comes out of it looking strong and credible.

A Cena-Rusev storyline is a possibility too if the former WWE champion finds himself exiled from the title scene after Hell in a Cell.

It seems inevitable that the all-American hero will face off against the monster heel at some point. And there’s not much point waiting until next year—Rusev’s momentum may have faded by then. The booking team might be smarter to begin their feud right after Hell in a Cell.

Credit: WWE.com

Orton emerging triumphant at the pay-per-view and getting a title shot would open up several new and fascinating booking possibilities—not only for The Viper but for Cena too. A Cena win, meanwhile, would just be a return to the tedious and humdrum status quo. It wouldn’t help anyone or improve the quality of the company’s programming.

Come on, WWE. It’s time to try something different.