John Cena Will Be Key to Solidifying Roman Reigns' Spot as WWE's Top Star

Roman Reigns recently claimed the WWE crown, but he did so when the long-reigning John Cena was not in the kingdom. To complete that coronation, to further fortify the bridge to the next era, Cena must play a vital part in Reigns' story.

WWE masterfully told the tale of Reigns overcoming The Authority and The League of Nations on the post-TLC Raw. After nearly a year's worth of his fingers grazing the world title and getting cheated out of the glory he had earned, he Superman punched his way to a championship celebration.

And he did so in Philadelphia, where back in January, fans had filled the arena with boos, soundly rejecting his rise.

As WWE plans its next steps for Reigns, they have to involve Cena. Bringing in the 15-time world champ, the megastar who has long monopolized the marquee, will strengthen Reigns' position. Facing and fending off Cena would legitimize his reign. There is an obvious passing-of-the-torch moment to be had here. 

When the WWE machine got behind Brock Lesnar back in 2002, it made sure to give him massive names to put on his list of fallen foes. The Beast Incarnate knocked off The Undertaker after his title win over The Rock. And he didn't just slip by The Deadman, either; he pounded him into the mat inside the Hell in a Cell.

That sent a statement to the audience that Lesnar had truly arrived. This was not going to be some momentary title run; it was to be a momentous one.

That's a similar strategy that WWE should employ with Reigns.

Beating Sheamus doesn't have the weight that beating Cena would. And while it's clear that a showdown with Triple H is looming, Cena is a bigger trophy to place on his mantel. He's the man WWE most protects and is most hesitant to have lose.

Even though WWE pushed Cena a few feet off center stage to be United States champ this year, he is still very much the No. 1 guy. It's still his yard.

That makes for a potentially intriguing dynamic once he comes back, as Wade Keller of PWTorch pointed out:

There's an easy story to tell about Cena wanting to reclaim the company's top spot once he returns. He spent much of the year talking about how anyone who wants to be the future of WWE has to go through him.

And that's exactly what WWE should have Reigns do.

It's an obvious money matchup to have, a clash of generations, of two powerhouses with a lot of parallels. Could it happen at WrestleMania 32? PWTorch's Greg Park believes that bout has great potential:

Whether it happens then or at SummerSlam or elsewhere, it needs to happen.

If Reigns doesn't face Cena, there will be an unfinished feel to his story. It will be that dream showdown fans keep waiting to see happen. For the most part, WWE has recognized matches of this magnitude in the past and made sure to book them: Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock, The Rock vs. Cena, Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior.

Doing it once more with Cena and The Big Dog is a no-brainer.

Back in July of last year, Cena and Reigns met face to face in the ring. They prepped for a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE's ultimate prize with Kane and Randy Orton.

Cena tried to get Reigns on his side. The crowd perked up when things turned a touch hostile. 

An electricity ran along the air when Reigns said, "Get to the damn point, John."

That energy will be even more powerful should they meet now. Reigns has worked hard to sway many of his detractors. He has far more momentum than he did during the summer, after having fattened his resume with big-time matches and capped off his championship run with one of 2015's best moments.

The roles will be reversed—Reigns the champion and Cena the challenger—but more importantly, it will still be a collision of new guard and old guard. It will be a key chapter in Reigns' story, a battle for the ages in the championship-reign section of his epic.

Telling that part of the story is as obvious a move as any for WWE.