No Mercy 2017. The exact date being Sep. 24, 2017. It’s almost unbelievable to think that this is the one and only time that Roman Reigns vs John Cena faced each other in WWE. The build to that is one of the more storied feuds in the last decade for WWE, as it included Cena’s verbal reckoning of Reigns as he doubted him as being ready to be “the guy.” However, as we sit here in 2021, times have certainly changed. Roman Reigns is a completely different competitor. “The Tribal Chief” is the hottest thing going in all of WWE (maybe even all of wrestling, period) while John Cena has gone full-time to Hollywood. Cena’s last match for WWE was the Firefly Fun House match between him and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Since that moment, Cena has not been seen on WWE television.
In recent weeks though, there has been some smoke in terms of Cena possibly returning to WWE. In an interview with Den of Geek, Cena said that what he really wants to do is make it back to the place he calls “home.”
“I always found a real sense of satisfaction contributing where I could, because I know that the idea of the sense of complacency with performers is high,” Cena said, as transcribed by Den of Geek’s Nick Harley. “And they always want to be at the top spot and there is only one top spot. But I believe a spot is a chance to contribute. So it won’t be about that. It will simply be if there is an enthralling and correct continuation to the narrative. I really, really want to get back to WWE.”
With all this being said, Roman Reigns vs John Cena should be the SummerSlam main event this year.
Roman Reigns vs John Cena: History, Legacy, and Much More on the Line
With the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast making clear that this is the direction WWE will be going for “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” it’s best to set the stage as to why this match makes sense for more reasons than one. With Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas being the destination of the show this year, WWE is going to want to pack the place. A marquee match or two are necessary for such a show and it does not get much bigger than Reigns-Cena II in 2021.
Roman Reigns Living Up to Full Potential as “The Tribal Chief”
Roman Reigns has never been better than he is right now. Reigns is on the run of his life since taking on “The Tribal Chief” aura and adding Paul Heyman as his special counsel. Everything the golden glove touches has truly turned into gold for both SmackDown and all of WWE. And since winning the Universal Championship, Reigns has been on a warpath becoming unbeatable in the process. Whether it was Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan, Edge, or Cesaro, everyone has tried and failed when taking on the one and only “Tribal Chief.” It’s the run of Reigns that so many believed could happen someday; rising to the top of the mountain and being the absolute best thing in WWE and one of the best parts of professional wrestling right now.
At times it has felt historic. You’re seeing something special from show to show, match to match. Everything Reigns happens to do carries meaning, something that cannot always be said for wrestlers in WWE or anywhere really. When you have the ability to bring any challenger up to your level, it’s not only a sign that the right champion is in place but it’s a special run. Now, Jey Uso and Cesaro have been the main benefactors in that, with Owens, Bryan, and Edge all being former world champions. But no matter the feud, it’s been must-see from start to finish. Add in the factor that his next major opponent could very well be the one and only John Cena? That’s the perfect main event and try establishing moment for “The Tribal Chief.”
John Cena Aims for Number 17 and Pro Wrestling History
The simple idea of John Cena winning world championship number 17 is as big as it gets. Cena currently sits tied with Ric Flair as the only other 16-time world champion in history. That, according to WWE, is tied for first all-time. Many fans and wrestlers have believed that while Hollywood has taken Cena away from the ring for the majority of the last few years, one day he will be back to pursue that record-breaking milestone. As the rumors swirl that his return to WWE and the ring is nearly imminent with the return of crowds, you have to believe that this is the opportunity for him to chase number 17 once and for all.
As we look back at the history of Cena in professional wrestling, you remember matches with CM Punk, The Rock, Edge, Randy Orton, and so many more. But what you remember the most in terms of his career is that he was a champion, the face of the company. And with Reigns at the top of his game and this match only happening once prior, you cannot make a greater SummerSlam main event with everything on the line. Cena is chasing history if he returns and the only decision that makes sense is for him to go after “The Big Dog” of WWE in order to achieve it.
“The Head of the Table” vs. “The Franchise”
“The Head of the Table” vs. “The Franchise.” Roman Reigns vs John Cena is a match that we saw once, with the result being a victory for Reigns and the pay-per-view being rather forgettable. This is a match that finally feels as big as it should. A lot of that credit goes to Reigns for finding his true self in the squared circle. But the stakes of this potential match at SummerSlam are massive. Reigns is trying to show the world that WWE doesn’t need Cena anymore. It’s his time, he’s all they need. And for Cena, he’s not only trying to break the record for most world titles, but he’s showing that he still has it despite not being there. Reigns has put emphasis on carrying the company his entire career. That’s something Cena knows all too well.
As WWE hopes to make a splash in the grandest of fashions when they return to live crowds each and every single week, fans have to believe they are aiming for the marquee match worthy of selling out a stadium for SummerSlam. Reigns and Cena will always be compared in their careers. They have never competed in singles competition for a championship. There’s so much at stake in the sheer thought of this match happening. Given what Cena is chasing and who Reigns has become, it would be the ultimate missed opportunity to do anything other than this match at the second biggest show of the year for WWE. This should be the SummerSlam main event, second to none.
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