John Cena - The Hell in a Cell showstealer

FILE PHOTO: John Cena

Nobody has ever returned from a career threatening injury to receive a thunderous ovation like Triple H in 2002. John Cena is not any different.

Even though hours ago, as soon as his entrance theme hit and the roof of the arena did not come off, he still is the only man in the WWE right now who gets the kind of passionate dual treatment that he does.

The match between him and Alberto Del Rio was good and even though it was not dominated by Cena, the conclusion to the match was widely expected. John Cena is the new World Heavyweight Champion.

There were times in the match that could actually make one feel that SuperCena might lose. His underdog act has long exceeded the expiry date but just like Extreme Rules in 2012, he took most of the beating here. Throughout his match with Brock Lesnar, he made Lesnar look like a relentless monster and just when everyone thought that Lesnar could not lose in his first match in 8 years in the WWE, Cena hit him with a chain and an AA for the win to the delight of almost the entire arena in Chicago.

Hell in a Cell saw Cena get the same kind of ovation. The match started with Cena getting his trademark reaction but soon the ‘Cena S***s’ chants started to drown in front of the ‘Let’s Go Cena’ chants. And as soon as he pinned Del Rio, the entire arena was on its feet and this time Cole and Lawler were not exaggerating. Even though, it was a bit unsettling to have the focus on JBL saying that he was wrong about Cena. That was too much. But, I guess, when Cena’s on air ‘too much’ moments are bound to take place.

A year before Extreme Rules 2012, Cena had faced one of the most anti-Cena reaction at MITB 2011 against CM Punk only to return a year later with a win that garnered an unlikely round of cheers. A year ago at Wrestlemania 28 in Miami, even though Cena did not face a really harsh crowd, he did receive heel treatment from The Rock’s hometown and now a year later he walked out triumphant with a championship to the crowd’s delight. Déjà vu?

The opening tag team match for the tag titles was spectacular and Shawn Michaels disappointed the entire arena by helping Orton pin Bryan. Shawn Michaels, the Showstopper, stopped the show for the fans who watched everything with stunned silence.

But I don’t expect this to last for a long time. ADR might soon get a re match and Sandow, who was shown to be ready to cash in soon at HIAC, might just cash in soon enough.