There were high hopes that the return of John Cena would help the WWE in the ratings circle, not to mention the much-needed reinforcement for its depleted roster.
Everything seemed to be bright until Cena announced that he will be heading over to Birmingham to undergo shoulder surgery via the Bleacher Report. The Cenation leader made the announcement via Twitter.
With that said, the WWE ends up going back to square one. Worse, it may affect future WWE pay-per-views starting with the 2016 Royal Rumble, which will happen in a couple of weeks.
Before the bad news came, Cena seemed to be back on track to try and recapture the United States title that he lost to Hispanic star Alberto Del Rio. His return, however, seemed to carry more twists since it did include a possible feud with the “League of Nations” as well as possibly shaping up a feud with WWE heavyweight champion Roman Reigns.
The shoulder injury now dampens all hopes of getting a big boost from Cena, and it could very well mean that he is also out of the Wrestlemania 32 picture.
Rumors had it that Cena would be facing the Undertaker in what was speculated to be the proper send-off for the Dead Man. Now the WWE has to scramble and come up with another storyline with word that Cena is unlikely to compete in Arlington, Texas.
Therefore, whatever plans the WWE had lined up as far as the coming PPVs are concerned are in for an overhaul. All that could possibly take shape in the coming shows that carry a big question mark on how the WWE can make the necessary adjustments with Cena out of the picture.
With Cena out, such could possibly open the doors for other WWE talent backstage. There are plenty left idle right now so the WWE may want to become creative, like perhaps that uncanny birth of a new faction made of mid-card wrestlers “Social Outcasts”.
Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Adam Rose and Bo Dallas are not really among the top stars the WWE has to offer but the faction-angle could see the rise of one or all of them.
Take into consideration as well that the WWE has reportedly signed up four new faces from the New Japan Pro Wrestling circuit - Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson. Word about their impending transfer to the WWE was reported by MLW Radio.
It remains to be seen if these development will bear fruit. At the state of the WWE right now, added help will surely be welcome.