John Cena’s recent encounter with Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza, held last week in Indianapolis, ended in disappointment for many fans, with the lackluster bout failing to generate the excitement expected for the final match before Cena’s retirement. The John Cena Wrestlepalooza match drew criticism due to its predictable outcome and weak buildup, leaving audiences dissatisfied with how the event unfolded.
Insights from John Cena Sr. on How the Match Could Have Been Improved
John Cena Sr., the father of the sixteen-time World Champion known as The Cenation Leader, shared his perspective on the Wrestlepalooza match during an appearance on WrestleBinge. He admitted to not understanding the direction WWE took, especially after Paul Heyman reunited with Brock Lesnar and labeled him “The Last A** Kicker,” signaling the inevitability of Cena’s defeat. Cena Sr. expressed that Lesnar did not require additional elevation from Cena’s legacy, suggesting instead that the match could have ended with outside interference or a count-out to protect his son’s exit.
“I kind of sat back, and I said, it shouldn’t go down that way. Brock doesn’t need the rub. Cena’s on his way out. So a smart thing would have been at some point, maybe we had an outside interference. Maybe we had a, I don’t like count outs, but the outside interference, setting up the next match with Cena, whomever that may have been, would have been a better way to take it out than the way I saw it go down. Look, you know in this business, you wanna leave them happy sometimes. When I saw those kids crying, that is not the way you wanna have business go. You know, and it’s my son.”
He emphasized the emotional toll the match’s outcome had on young fans, highlighting the responsibility in wrestling to create moments that resonate positively, especially when a beloved figure like Cena is stepping away.
Why the Match Felt More Like a Squash Than a Farewell Contest
Despite Brock Lesnar’s reputation as a considerate opponent who has protected others throughout his career, John Cena Sr. questioned the rationale behind booking his son to endure a quick and decisive loss. He described the match more as a “squash” than a competitive encounter, underscoring the rapid defeat Lesnar handed Cena. Cena Sr. expressed confusion and frustration over the decision to have the outgoing star lose in such a manner during a final tour.
“Brock is a wonderful human being and took good care of John as he does to most of his opponents. But there again, why would you take the man on a tour who’s leaving? Yeah, it just makes no sense to me at all. I don’t understand it. I don’t understand it. And that was, I don’t even call that a match. That was just a squash. Squash, yeah. That’s all it was.”
The swift conclusion of the match and Lesnar’s harsh post-match attack added to the overall negative reception of the event. Fans and analysts alike questioned the storytelling and booking choices involved, feeling that Cena’s final in-ring moments deserved a more fitting send-off.
Implications for John Cena’s Wrestling Legacy and Upcoming Storylines
The response to the Wrestlepalooza match highlights the critical balance wrestling promotions must maintain between building new stars and respecting departing legends. The John Cena Wrestlepalooza match, marred by a dry buildup and an anticlimactic finish, underscored the emotional weight wrestling holds for its fanbase. Cena Sr.’s remarks reveal internal doubts about the creative direction and its impact on Cena’s legacy.
Looking ahead, there is speculation about WWE’s evolving plans involving John Cena, including his potential future interactions with prominent figures such as AJ Styles. How WWE navigates these storylines could determine how Cena’s eventual farewell is remembered, given the backlash from Wrestlepalooza’s handling of his penultimate match.
