A former WWE competitor has publicly criticized John Cena for referring to himself as “the last real champion” in a promo aired on September 15 during WWE Raw. This statement, made ahead of Cena’s highly anticipated Wrestlepalooza match against Brock Lesnar, has drawn skepticism due to the phrasing and its implications within the wrestling world.
John Cena’s use of the expression “last real champion” during the build-up has sparked debate among wrestling experts and fans alike. The phrase was singled out by Lance Storm, a former WWE star, who expressed strong disapproval on Wrestling Observer Live, describing the choice of words as out of place and perplexing given Cena’s present status within WWE.
Lance Storm Challenges the Meaning Behind the Title
Lance Storm elaborated on his views by recalling Cena’s previous use of the term while portraying a heel character. During that period, Cena adopted a villainous role that involved a storyline where he intended to “ruin wrestling” by stripping the championship’s prestige and breaking its lineage. Storm pointed out the contradiction in Cena’s current babyface persona continuing to claim the same title.
“I didn’t like it. I find the Last Real Champion absurd. It was a heel gimmick when he said he was going to ruin wrestling by taking the championship away, so that it would destroy the lineage, ruin the wrestling business, and there would be no more real champions.
And now, as a babyface, he’s still claiming to be the Last Real Champion. Like, that is completely insane to me.”
– Lance Storm, Former WWE Star
Storm further questioned the rationale behind Cena’s statement given the current WWE landscape. After losing the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam in August and dropping his heel persona, Cena’s assertion as the “last real champion” appeared contradictory. Storm highlighted this point by expressing doubts about the legitimacy of other champions, including Rhodes.
“The idea made sense when he was a heel and wanted to ruin the business. But since they’re not even acknowledging that he was a heel that tried to ruin the wrestling business, what is the benefit of saying he’s the Last Real Champion?
Is Cody not a real champion? I thought Cody was important.”
– Lance Storm, Former WWE Star
The Miz Aims to Pass John Cena’s Legacy Forward
In the meantime, WWE star The Miz has voiced his intention to share John Cena’s teachings and experience with the next generation of wrestlers. This move underscores Cena’s influence within WWE despite the controversy surrounding his recent claims.
Wrestlepalooza, featuring Cena’s match against Brock Lesnar, is scheduled for September 20, the same day as AEW All Out, adding extra intrigue to the event’s spotlight.
WWE Spotlight on the Meaning of “Last Real Champion”
The WWE itself highlighted the contest by tweeting,
“What does being ‘the last real champion’ really mean? Brock Lesnar is going to find out at Wrestlepalooza live on the ESPN app THIS SATURDAY!”
This promotional push reflects the storyline’s importance in ongoing WWE narratives and the tension between the wrestlers involved.
Implications for WWE’s Championship Narrative
The debate over the “last real champion” title carries significant implications for WWE’s storytelling and how the championship’s prestige is framed. John Cena’s claim challenges current champions’ legitimacy and could shape viewer perceptions as Wrestlepalooza approaches.
Whether this phrase will elevate Cena’s match or fuel further controversy remains to be seen. The clash with Brock Lesnar promises a pivotal moment in WWE’s championship history, potentially redefining the weight and significance of Cena’s claim within the wrestling community.
What does being "the last real champion" really mean?
Brock Lesnar is going to find out at Wrestlepalooza live on the ESPN app THIS SATURDAY! 🔥https://t.co/kzS0cxoAzD pic.twitter.com/vqL81G7wNA
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2025
