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John Cena's return to WWE has sparked some heavy conversation about his purpose in coming back at this particular time. According to NWA Hall of Famer Bill Apter, the company wanted someone to play the same role that the Rock played in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania XL.
The Rock played a major role in driving up the viewership and ratings of the product before WrestleMania and attracting a large number of casual fans. According to Apter, the company may be looking to achieve the same effect by bringing in Cena in the Great One's absence.
Speaking on Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine hosted by Mac Davis, the veteran journalist stated:
"When the WWE was doing fabulously when The Rock came, it opened up the door again to more people who weren't familiar with wrestling, sports entertainment. There was a buzz; it was all over Hollywood, it was all over everywhere that The Rock was there, and it was amazing how the ratings, how everything went up when The Rock was there."
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He added:
"After he left, things kinda leveled off, but they are still really, really, really good. So, at this point now, The Rock's not around, going back to the movies. This is the time John Cena wants to slip in, that you can ask the non-wrestling fan, name a wrestler who is in WWE, and they will say The Rock, Well, he's not there anymore, now the guy is gonna be John Cena." [10:00 onwards]
Another WWE veteran thinks John Cena wants to retire because of Vince McMahon's departure
According to Vince Russo, John Cena may not be willing to join WWE under Triple H.
Speaking on Legion of RAW, Russo explained that both Cena and Undertaker were Vince McMahon guys, which may have led to his desire for an exit.
"I think Cena and Taker, from what I gather, were probably the two talents closest to Vince. That's what I could take away... So I think Cena could be bowing out because Cena was a Vince McMahon guy. Cena might not like working under the great regime of Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Cena's made it clear bro. We even heard stories, he was at Vince's birthday dinner, remember all that stuff? So Cena may be a guy that's not big into the Triple H regime." [From 11:35 onwards]
As of now, it remains to be seen what is next for John Cena in WWE.
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