WWE booking criticism of John Cena‘s retirement tour has intensified as industry veterans voice their concerns about how the wrestling icon’s final run is being managed. As John Cena’s anticipated farewell unfolds, figures like Vince Russo and Teddy Long are challenging the company’s decisions, pointing to missed opportunities and declining ratings.
Wrestling Veterans Disagree With Current Approach
John Cena’s ongoing retirement tour in WWE has inspired both admiration and disapproval, with some in the professional wrestling world openly questioning the strategy behind it. Notably, Vince Russo, a recognized veteran, has stated he would have organized this period very differently, expressing dissatisfaction with WWE’s alleged lack of an overarching plan for the tour. Russo explained his vision for a more detailed approach, emphasizing the importance of mapping out the entire tenure and ensuring Cena’s involvement in that process. He remarked,
“If I know Cena agrees to a comeback tour, okay, and he gives me or gives us the timeframe and how many dates, okay? Bro, it’s John Cena. So I am mapping out the entire time that he is going to be with the company. I am mapping it all out. I am presenting it to him. I am getting his feedback and his input, and we are off to the races.”
—Vince Russo, Wrestling veteran.
The current Undisputed WWE Champion, having surpassed Ric Flair’s historic record, is wrapping up his legendary career. Despite these achievements, critics highlight the lack of compelling narrative, specifically noting the absence of notable rivals in Cena’s final storyline and pointing to The Rock’s limited involvement as a shortcoming.
Concerns Over Ratings and Blame Placement
Recent WWE television ratings have seen a decline, raising further questions about the effectiveness of the current direction. While some have suggested John Cena could be partially responsible for the downturn, Hall of Famer Teddy Long has rejected that notion, instead calling attention to the collective performance of the roster. On The Wrestling Time Machine, Long stated,
“Yeah, can’t blame it on John Cena about the viewership. They don’t turn, poeple don’t turn in just to see one guy. They turn in to see a lot of guys okay? So you’ve got to blame the viewership on the whole roster.”
—Teddy Long, WWE Hall of Famer.
This perspective reinforces the idea that the company’s challenges extend beyond a single superstar, indicating deeper systemic issues within the entertainment product.
What Lies Ahead for John Cena and WWE
With criticism mounting and insiders expressing strong opinions about WWE’s mishandling of John Cena’s retirement tour, the future of both Cena and the booking strategy remains uncertain. As the final chapters of his storied career continue to unfold, the company’s response to these concerns—especially regarding talent utilization and storyline planning—could ultimately shape WWE’s standing with fans and the legacy left by their most celebrated performers.
