How to Maximize John Cena's Pursuit of Ric Flair's World Title Record

John Cena is chasing a prize more valuable and noteworthy than championship gold. His charge toward Ric Flair's record as the most prolific pro wrestling world champion ever is a historic quest.

WWE must fully harness Cena's drive toward that goal. His pursuit of all-time greatness has the potential to be one of the most compelling stories the powerhouse has told. 

En route to the Hall of Fame, Flair won 16 world titles.

Even with the increased turnover between champions in recent years and the creation of new top titles, Cena is the only wrestler to ever come within striking range of that number. He currently boasts 15 world title reigns on his resume.

He will have a chance for No. 16 on Oct. 9 at the No Mercy pay-per-view, where both he and Dean Ambrose take on AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship in a Triple Threat tilt.

"

It's official -- @JohnCena seeks record-tying 16th world championship at No Mercy in a triple threat match with @AJStylesOrg & Dean Ambrose

— WWE on ESPN (@WWEonESPN) September 14, 2016"

Hype and drama are the keys to making the most of Cena's pursuit of a legend.

WWE's tendency toward hyperbole will benefit this on-screen narrative. The company needs to play up its importance, to drum up just how special this achievement would be. WWE needs to make it seem as significant as Hank Aaron passing Babe Ruth to become baseball's home run king. 

That can begin by first reminding the audience of what Flair did.

The Nature Boy first won the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship in 1981. A good number of fans watching today were either not born or too young to remember him taking down Dusty Rhodes in Kansas City, Missouri, for the crown.

WWE should put together a video package celebrating Flair's career, one that takes fans back to every title win. 

And The Dirtiest Player in the Game should be a part of the story in the flesh, too.

Announcer Michael Cole could sit down with Flair and talk about his legacy, his record and his thoughts on Cena closing in on him. Former WWE tag team champion Lance Storm suggested inviting Flair to attend the No Mercy bout:

But the PPV shouldn't be where Cena slides into the top spot. It's too early.

Other than mentioning it before Cena's title bout with Seth Rollins at SummerSlam last year, WWE has not talked much about his potentially passing Flair. Cena himself has just started emphasizing that goal in the past few weeks when demanding a shot at Styles.

On Tuesday's SmackDown, he sat in on commentary as Styles and Ambrose clashed. He talked of wanting to be in the conversation as WWE's greatest Superstar ever. Matching Flair would be key to that.

He mentioned the record on Talking Smack, where he said, "We are on the cusp of something great." 

The more WWE lets this moment build up, the better. Delaying the inevitable will increase the intrigue surrounding it. 

Cena can't win No. 16 on his first try.

Instead, fans need to see him struggle some. Perhaps Styles will knock him off at No Mercy and again at Survivor Series to start creating doubt about whether he can actually match the record.

RICK SCUTERI/Associated Press

And to get so close to making history, only to stumble, should leave Cena unnerved. It will be a reminder of how difficult an accomplishment Flair pulled off and provide some character direction for the leader of the Cenation, too.

Cena can grow as obsessed with Flair's record as Shawn Michaels was with ending Undertaker's WrestleMania undefeated streak.

There is a chance to show a focused, crazed and ultimately triumphant Cena. There will be far more drama to milk that way than just letting him take down Styles in October. 

Patience will benefit WWE here.

Grander stages will open up in the calendar ahead. Cena winning his 16th world title is a moment worthy of WrestleMania or could be a way to boost SummerSlam's history.

Either way, Cena's stepping alongside Flair on the pantheon of greats is a feat fit for the brightest spotlight available.