Unexpected Turn in John Cena’s Retirement Journey at Wrestlepalooza

The recent Wrestlepalooza event has shaken the wrestling world to its core, marking a significant shift in the career of John Cena. Up until this point, Cena’s retirement journey had gone on without many surprises, predictable even to the casual observer. During his reign as WWE’s villainous champion, Cena dominated the scene, systematically defeating the heroes in a self-proclaimed mission to ‘disrupt wrestling.’ With a shift back to his beloved hero persona, Cena became the WWE’s prime crowd-favorite, winning over audiences and taking down adversary Logan Paul.

However, at Wrestlepalooza, Cena’s farewell run took an unexpected turn. Wrestling fans were left stunned as Cena, considered by many as WWE’s all-time best, was toppled by Brock Lesnar in a match that led to a three-count victory. Cena entered as a slight favorite, his odds only seeming to improve as he arrived on stage, surrounded by dozens of cheering children mimicking Cena’s signature ‘You Can’t See Me’ gesture. But this emotional scene turned out to be a mere smokescreen.

In a dramatic moment, after nearly winning with a series of Attitude Adjustments – a finishing move formerly known as ‘The FU’ and attributed to Brock Lesnar – Cena found himself on the receiving end. Lesnar, unfazed, launched a counterattack with a series of F-5s, effectively turning the tide of the match, resulting in his eventual victory. Despite lasting only eight minutes, it wasn’t a display of ring craftsmanship, but it did serve to add a new layer of intrigue to Cena’s retirement story.

At a point when many believed Cena’s tale was reaching a predictable climax, the surprise loss to Lesnar introduced an interesting subplot. Now the 17-time world champion has a new quest: to overcome this setback and win against his own Moby Dick. This unexpected twist sets an exhilarating stage for the final chapters of Cena’s career.

However, it does raise questions about WWE’s long-delayed use of this narrative dynamic, especially considering this twist could have been implemented more than nine months ago. Looking ahead, Cena is set to challenge Solo Sikoa at the Crown Jewel 2023. On the night of his recent string of solo losses, Cena delivered a deep, heartfelt monologue that resonated with the audience.

When the crowd came alive, shouting the much-anticipated ‘You still got it’ chant, Cena responded with a potent question: ‘What if I don’t?’ These four words encapsulated the essence of how his retirement journey should have been scripted: centering on a once-great champion forced to regain his self-belief in the face of adversity.

To everyone familiar with WWE’s recent broadcasts, they would know Cena’s trajectory took a different route. He turned traitor, joining forces with The Rock in what many consider to be one of the least thrilling heel turns in contemporary professional wrestling. The WWE, however, corrected course in August, restoring Cena’s heroic persona.

Since his reversion to the tried-and-tested character, WWE has managed Cena’s narrative impeccably. From raising the hand of Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam to defeating Logan Paul amidst ecstatic French fans, Cena has truly embodied the heroic champion. Some heartfelt moments have also defined Cena’s journey, including his endearing apology to his young superfan, the ‘John Cena kid’.

With less than a handful of appearances left in his farewell tour, WWE could have continued on the tried-and-true path – repeatedly presenting Cena at each PLE and SNME, aiming for yet another wave of applause. Yes, they could have followed the comfort of the familiar. Instead, they opted for an unexpected course, setting up a sizable final feud to enthral the audience.

Though it seems inevitable Cena will triumph over Lesnar, probably in his last match, the road to this conclusion could still harbor novel elements. Anticipation is high for potential guest appearances from Cena’s past allies and enemies. However, Cena has more pressing matters to address.

Cena and Lesnar have a complex history, tracing back to their early years in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Based on the latest developments, their intertwined paths are far from reaching an end. Cena’s unexpected loss at Wrestlepalooza promises to inject fresh energy and excitement into the WWE universe as Cena’s retirement story continues to twist and turn.