10 Big Questions Ahead Of WWE Royal Rumble 2017
2. Will John Cena Enter The History Books?
John Cena has been on fire since returning to SmackDown a couple of weeks ago. 15 years into his wrestling career, Cena sounds more driven and assertive than ever, and he’s no longer shy about using his lofty position within the company to leverage himself into title shots. At this stage in his career, Cena has just one thing in mind: Ric Flair’s record of 16 world titles, and he’ll have a chance to equal it at the Royal Rumble.
Cena has 15 world championships to his name, but he faces a stern task if he’s to match the Nature Boy. Current champion AJ Styles defeated Cena cleanly at SummerSlam 2016, then pinned him again at No Mercy. Cena might be WWE’s franchise player, but Styles appears to have his number in the ring, and that’s the big story heading into their showdown at the Royal Rumble.
Cena will be remembered as one of WWE’s most successful wrestlers regardless of whether he reaches Flair’s record or not, but WWE’s obsession with “making history” suggests this is almost certainly on the cards. He and Styles have always had great matches together, and this contest almost guarantees another thrilling encounter, even if Cena equals a record many don’t want him to match.
A loss would be extremely interesting for Cena, who is expected to operate on a part-time schedule for most of 2017. If he can’t take the title in San Antonio, there’s a strong chance Cena never matches Flair’s record, and that he gradually transitions towards an Undertaker-esque special attraction role.