WWE Armchair Booking: How to Maximize John Cena vs. Kevin Owens II

When John Cena climbs into the ring with Kevin Owens for the second time, WWE must not have him wipe out the NXT champ's momentum.

The focus of their match at Money in the Bank should be to further showcase Owens as a beast and a destroyer. Rather than be just another victim of Cena's resiliency, the company has a real shot to have Owens emerge looking dangerous, the audience thrilled to see his next act of violence.

WWE can accomplish that without simply repeating what happened in their first meeting. It can also set up a third clash between them, a marquee bout worthy of SummerSlam.

Before that, though, it's best to have Cena flex his muscle.

Early Struggles for Owens

The only man to dominate Cena from bell to bell has been Brock Lesnar. Going that route with Owens isn't necessary. In fact, Cena's success can be the catalyst for the drama that unfolds later in the match.

Cena begins the match in top form.

He flings the big man onto the mat. He has him reeling after a flurry of clotheslines. 

The impression that WWE should create at this point is that Cena has studied tape on his opponent. He's more prepared this time, and doubt begins to creep into the audience's mind about whether Owens can beat him twice.

Credit: WWE.com

When Owens goes for the cannonball, Cena sees it coming and evades it. The United States champ slips out of Owens' grip and offers a counter for much of his offense. 

This frustrates Owens to no end. He kicks the ring ropes, barks at the referee and spends a good amount of time seething on the outside of the ring.

The announcers talk about how much harder it is to beat someone the second time. The element of surprise is gone. Unfamiliarity is gone. 

The narrative soon changes as an enraged Owens sees an opening.

No Role Model

WWE needs to remind us that Owens is a bad, bad man. To properly counterbalance Cena's babyface status, Owens has to embrace his most sadistic and unfeeling side.

Cena is the righteous one; Owens has the darker moral code.

That becomes apparent when Cena inadvertently bowls over the official. While he goes to check on the referee, Owens slides in behind him and delivers a low blow. The kick to the jewels floors Cena, leaving him writhing on the mat.

Before the referee gets back up, Owens cracks Cena across the back with a steel chair. He then laces Cena's face with punches. 

Once order is restored, Cena is stunned. He struggles to stand and holds his head in pain. This will then be Owens' chance to show how much of a hypocrite he is.

He talks about how much he wants his kid to look up to him and how much of a phony Cena is.

The assault that the NXT champion administers provides proof that this rhetoric is hollow.  

Fury Overflowing

In a beating reminiscent of what he gave Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Rival, Owens wallops Cena. He bashes him with forearms to the chops. He drives his knee into Cena's gut over and over again.

The lasting image fans had of their first meeting was Owens getting the three-count. This time around, it will be of him standing over Cena, daring him to get up and clubbing him to the canvas.

Credit: WWE.com

Owens eventually takes the attack too far. With both men tied up in the corner, Owens unleashes a succession of shots to the side of Cena's head. 

The referee issues a five-count, tries to pull Owens off and warns the powerhouse. Eventually, he has no choice but to stop the match.

Cena wins via disqualification, but in actuality, it's a victory for Owens. He's the one who leaves the bigger impression, the one who leaves the ring under his own power. Cena, meanwhile, needs to lean on the medical staff as he limps away.

This result sets up a compelling third chapter.

Conjuring up motivation will be no issue for Cena. Their feud moves into more contentious, more personal territory. Owens will promise to finish off this man he despises so much.

The next time out, the titles are on the line. It's a no-disqualification match so that there is no repeat of their bout at Money in the Bank. Owens and Cena don't meet at Battleground; WWE saves it for the company's biggest summer blockbuster event—SummerSlam.

Having the action develop in this direction raises the anticipation level for the third collision and leaves Owens looking like a snarling, fearsome monster on the rise.