Its been widely reported that John Cena will be taking some time off from WWE this fall, leaving after Hell in a Cell and not returning until the Christmas holidays. If that is indeed accurate, then it would make sense to have Cena lost the United States Championship on Sunday so that it doesnt sit inactive for two months. But there also have been rumors circulating that Cena actually might hold onto the title at HIAC, fueled by a show at Madison Square Garden in December advertising Cenas return and defending the U.S. title. Of course, cards are subject to change. And Cena going on the shelf or taking time off and not defending the title would run completely counter to how hes portrayed himself as U.S. champ, and it would contradict the precedent Daniel Bryan set earlier this year when he abandoned his Intercontinental Championship because he couldnt defend it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYIvRhOug-E There is the third option of Cena escaping Hell in a Cell with the title, but then showing up on Raw the next night and losing it. But given that he has an unnamed, unknown opponent Sunday, wouldnt it make more sense to lose due to the element of surprise?
Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.