Piggybacking on the idea that it is rather evident when Cena does not believe in the program he is performing in is the 2012 rivalry with The Big Show. After the giant's one millionth heel turn (give or take a few) at May's Over the Limit pay-per-view, Big Show set himself up for a main event feud with Cena that absolutely no one was asking for. Cena himself, apparently, as he appeared very disinterest and unmotivated by the program. And rightfully so. The writing was not particularly good, the fans were not incredibly interested and the heat for the matches hurt as a result. Regardless of those elements, though, it is still up for the performers to make the most of what is given to them. Cena failed to do that and the end result was a feud that headlined pay-per-views ahead of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, who were tearing it up for the WWE Championship earlier in the show. The greatest example of Cena's general sucktitude (thanks, Edge and Christian) throughout the course of the program was the Steel Cage match that headlined the June extravaganza No Way Out. It was slow, plodding and as bad a match as either Superstar has delivered in that spot on the card in either of their careers. ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btRgr38vdV0 Thankfully, they would be injected into the WWE Championship scene in August, just in time for SummerSlam, as they challenged CM Punk for the top prize in the industry. Still, Cena did not shake off the cobwebs and return to form until he and Punk clashed in a singles bout at Night of Champions in September.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
