5 Reasons John Cena Should Break Ric Flair's World Title Record

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With all that John Cena has done for WWE over the past decade plus, he should break Ric Flair’s World Title record.

John Cena has been the most polarizing figures in WWE and Sports Entertainment for the better part of the last decade. He has perhaps been the most polarizing figure in WWE history; bigger than Hulk Hogan, bigger than Triple H and bigger than Ric Flair. People who do not watch professional wrestling know John Cena’s name and what he stands for. Cena is one of the superstars who never fails to get a reaction from the WWE Universe. Whether it be the crowd chanting “Let’s Go Cena” or “Cena Sucks,” the crowd is never not engaged when he comes down the entrance ramp and enters the ring.

Cena has been atop the WWE since winning his first WWE World Championship back in 2005 at Wrestlemania 21. He defeated JBL in one of the main event’s in which to do so. Since that time, Cena has dominated WWE competition with his energetic style inside the ring. Cena has been involved in many of WWE’s classic matches. When he enters the WWE ring, whether it be on Raw, SmackDown or a pay-per-view, fans know they are going to see a tremendous match.

Cena is always trying to raise the bar and elevate himself to the best he can be. Unfortunately for him, he has not always had the backing of the WWE Universe due to the fact he has not undergone a character change and has been a face for quite some time. He has always been built as a role model for the children. With all of this being said, Cena has earned the right to be called the greatest WWE Champion of all time. Here are five reasons why Cena should break Flair’s all time record of 16 World Championships.

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5. John Cena is Due

John Cena is currently a 15-time WWE World Champion. He has the most title reigns of any WWE superstar on the current roster. Triple H is a 14-time world champion and Randy Orton is a 12-time champion. Cena only trails that of Ric Flair, who is a 16-time world champion. Cena is long overdue for a world title reign. The last time he won a WWE World Championship was back in 2014 at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

That night, seven men competed for the then vacant championship, which Daniel Bryan had to relinquish due to injury. It was a ladder match which would involve Cena, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus all competing for the title. Cena would ultimately be victorious. He held the title for a total of two months before losing it to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. It has been over two years since the face of the company has held the coveted world title. That is quite some time for one of the best pure wrestlers in the business. Cena is certainly due.

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4. Best Wrestler of This Generation

Since debuting back on June 27, 2002, on SmackDown, Cena was the work horse night in and night out for the next decade to follow. He has consistently put on the most enjoyable matches the company has seen during this time with the talent he showcases. Cena possesses a vast repertoire of moves in his arsenal. With his signature moves, which include the five knuckle shuffle, his leg drop from the top rope, spring board stunner off the ropes, the STF submission and of course the Attitude Adjustment (although, I will always refer to it as the FU).

Cena has set the bar for future wrestlers in not only WWE, but professional wrestling as a whole. Children and wrestlers alike want to be like John Cena. He was gifted with all of the tools to have success in the greatest professional wrestling company in history. He has charisma, athleticism, size and the heart needed to do everything necessary to put on a show for the WWE Universe. He has always been a showman on the mic, whether it had been as a rapper or the face he is built as today.

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3. His Message Stems Much Further Than WWE

Cena’s mantra for the past decade or so has been “Never Give Up.” He has also coined the phrase “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.” Fans will always boo Cena for simply being himself. Bottom line is, he is a role model for children and youths everywhere. It is a mantra everyone should live by. Cena has done so much for today’s youth including granting a record of over 500 wishes with the Make a Wish Foundation. That is a record outmatched by anyone who has every been involved with Make a Wish.

These are more than just a sayings or catch phrases, Cena lives by the message he sends and it has driven him to his success both in and out of WWE. You see it in the ring every time he performs. Cena gives everything he has when inside the ring. This, in turn, brings out the best in his opponents. He has the look and style of what a champion should be anywhere. Kids everywhere want to be like Cena. You see it every time he suits up in the ring with all of the children wearing his gear in support of their favorite WWE superstar.

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2. John Cena Truly Loves What He Does

Cena has stated on multiple occasions the love he has for WWE. He did so recently prior to his SummerSlam clash with AJ Styles. Styles had called Cena out as well as the fans, claiming they are delusional for believing in what Cena stands for. It didn’t fail to get cheers when Cena claimed he was still in WWE out of pure love. He too, stated that night that the WWE was, is and always will be his home. A statement, which fans have to respect regardless of their opinion of Cena.

Not only does Cena love what he does, but at 39 years of age, he does still have a lot left in the tank. He does not show signs of slowing down provided he can still remain healthy. He has shown he can still get it done in the ring. Now, heading into the returning No Mercy pay-per-view, Cena may have a little more motivation after Dean Ambrose had called him a “lazy part-timer” on an episode of SmackDown recently. He has also claimed that one of his final goals with the company will be to win one more World Championship. WWE will at least grant him that, however, with all he has done for them, he should be granted one more title reign after he ties the record.

WWE.com

1. John Cena is Better Than Flair

It is surely no secret that Cena is much more of an in-ring talent than Ric Flair ever was. Flair was the greatest of his time, but since then, the sports entertainment industry has changed and evolved. Both men were excellent on the mic and being able to hype up matches with their various promotions over the course of their respective careers. However, Cena’s in-ring talent can only be matched by a short few. And fewer have done what he has been able to do over the course of their careers.

Whether the WWE Universe sides with him or not, Cena deserves everything he has got coming for him in the future. He is WWE Hall of Famer inside and out. When his time is said and done with WWE, the fans will have much respect for what he has done for the company over the course of his illustrious career. What will be in store next for Cena as we move ahead?

In an age where social media has taken over, Cena is a much more well-known performer than that of Ric Flair. Cena is a role model through thick and thin, and when it is time to hang up the tights, Cena will be remembered for all he has done. Until that time, fans should look forward to many more exciting matches from one of the all-time greats in the sport. These are just five the many reasons Cena should break Flair’s record and become a 17-time WWE World Champion.