Ending a Franchise: The Ultimate Heel Turn of John Cena

It is basic economic theory that if something makes money, it should be encouraged to grow.

In the cartoon world of wrestling, someone that makes money becomes a champion.

If the wrestler makes more money than anyone else, they become the franchise.

Wrestling in the modern era is defined by these franchises from Hulk Hogan to John Cena, each champion brings something new to the wrestling world.

Hulk Hogan was the embodiment of the American Hero, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the anti-hero, the Rock was the People's Champion, and John Cena has seemingly morphed all three characteristics into one to produce, The Cenation.

The franchise can however only last so long before it gets stale.

With Austin and the Rock, their eras ended by their own hand, with both choosing to leave whilst still in their relative prime. Others have not been so lucky with even established wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, Sting, and Bret Hart, having felt the wrath of the wrestling universe.

The need for a turn is however a calculated risk in any wrestler's career. Anyone who has watched the excellent Wrestling with Shadows will see the doubts that Bret Hart had going into Wrestlemania 13.

The example of Sting and Ric Flair in TNA are crucial examples of how a turn can prove ineffective. Some fan favourites simply can not get generate heat.

As a result their role and character becomes confused.

The ultimate turn of John Cena will happen at some point if he is to have a sustained wrestling career.

His character is already gaining heat from some sections of fans. However the change will only ever happen when the t-shirts stop selling. 

The WWE will not shoot the golden goose and in the absence of other 'franchise boys', it is unlikely that they will be able to replace him any time soon.

Wrestling is led by the almighty dollar.