Examining the Best Path for the John Cena-Authority Storyline

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon returned to power on WWE programming this week—and immediately proceeded to make life miserable for John Cena and everyone else they felt had wronged them.

In an act of pure spite, the McMahons held a mock and amusingly over-the-top “John Cena Appreciation Night.” Then, at the end of the show, they fired Ryback, Dolph Ziggler and Erick Rowan as they all stood in the ring along with Cena.

Yikes. That was more than a little awkward.

Credit: WWE.com

Seth Rollins was also added to the Cena vs. Brock Lesnar bout for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble as a reward for his loyalty.

WWE adding Rollins to the match was a good idea. Cena vs. Lesnar has been booked as a singles match on pay-per-view too many times for it to be a draw. Rollins' involvement in the match infuses it with some much-needed fresh blood and gives Rollins a chance to get in the spotlight.

As for the long-running McMahon-Cena program...the angle should culminate at WrestleMania 31.

This would be the perfect time to end the storyline. Frankly, the “power struggle” angle has been going on for so long it's difficult for most people to care anymore. Vince McMahon vs. Steve Austin in the '90s it is not.

While both Triple H and his wife are good performers—Stephanie, in particular, shines brightly as a catty, bratty heel boss—they've been all over programming. Even when the family was sent packing at Survivor Series, it was back after barely a month.

It's time for the actual wrestlers to get some airtime. Hence why wrapping the storyline up in March is probably the best thing WWE bookers can do right now.

Credit: WWE.com

One satisfying conclusion to the angle would involve Rollins winning the bout at the Royal Rumble and leaving as the new champion—possibly by nefarious means.

Perhaps he could take out both Lesnar and Cena with steel chairs, get himself disqualified, and then cash in his Money in the Bank title shot. That would be consistent with his conniving, Machiavellian character.

Cena and Rollins could then face off at WrestleMania 31 for the belt, with a stipulation that Stephanie and Triple H have to go, for good, if they lose.

Credit: WWE.com

Vince McMahon could also reappear on television to sell the angle. It’s been frequently hinted in the past that he is growing rather tired of his family’s antics and seeming inability to the run things smoothly. He could potentially be on Cena’s side if there’s a confrontation.

Cena taking on Rollins, with Vince in his corner and Stephanie in Rollins’, sounds like an intriguing idea—and one WrestleMania 31 could certainly be built around.