What’s the story?
As reported by Cagesideseats, a major reason behind John Cena being booked in a mixed-gender tag-team match, as opposed to the WWE’s original plans of having him fight the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 33, was that the WWE felt Cena’s ‘Mania proposal would mean more than a matchup with the Undertaker.
In case you didn’t know...
John Cena was rumored to be fighting the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 33, however, both Superstars were booked in separate matchups at Mania, with Cena and his real-life girlfriend Nikki Bella facing The Miz and Maryse in a mixed-gender tag-team matchup and the Undertaker fighting Roman Reigns, in what was reportedly the Deadman’s last match as a performer.
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The heart of the matter
Cena is one of the most established stars in WWE and if one is to believe the rumor-mill, Vince McMahon and WWE management wanted ‘Taker to ‘put over’ a younger, prospective star instead of Cena, in his farewell match.
Enter Roman Reigns. The ex-Shield member has been the most pushed Superstar in the company in recent years, despite the fact that several fans have been extremely vocal in voicing their displeasure regarding the same.
Nevertheless, WWE paired Cena with his now-fiancee Nikki Bella, setting up a proposal by the Leader of the Cenation in front of a sold-out 75,000+ crowd in Orlando, Florida. WWE head-honchos were allegedly of the view that Cena proposing to Nikki at Wrestlemania would be a big deal.
It’s essential to note that the Cena-Bella Mania engagement did, in fact, receive mainstream media attention from several Hollywood news outlets, with the couple also making an appearance the very next day on The Today Show hosted by Al Roker.
What’s next?
Cena is on a hiatus from the WWE, owing to his movie obligations as he’ll be filming for ‘The Pact’ from April 19th-June 9th. His fiancee and former WWE Divas champion Nikki Bella has temporarily stepped away from the ring owing to injury issues, although ‘Fearless’ Nikki has promised her fans a comeback in the future.
Cena’s original opponent The Undertaker has retired from professional wrestling after a career that spanned more than 3 decades starting in 1984.
Author’s take
Truth be told, the WWE must be lauded for its decision to not have ‘Taker put Cena ‘over’ in what was the Deadman’s retirement match. But with that being said, having Roman Reigns’ coronation yet again in the main event of ‘Mania was a strategic error on the promotion’s part.
By having Reigns retire the legend, they have done nothing but make the fans boo him even more. Now mind you, all of this can, in fact, work in favour of the WWE if they book a Reigns heel turn, but don’t expect that anytime soon. After all, in the Big Dog’s own words- “I’m not a good guy. I’m not a bad guy. I’m The Guy!”
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