With Summerslam right around the corner, WWE’s most decorated champion is finally embracing his former self. John Cena took the stage in front of a packed-out Newark crowd, and no one expected to hear what he said over the next 12 minutes. The 17-time world champion took the mic and broke character, as he apologised for his actions since Elimination Chamber and admitted that he made a mistake. The segment left his opponent at Summerslam, Cody Rhodes, absolutely stunned, and the crowd that had been booing Cena for the past six months suddenly turned back to support their champion.
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Cena walked out in an olive green outfit, something that was a staple for him during the early days of his career. He still wore his trademark poker face, and before he could say his piece, Rhodes’s entrance music hit, and he made his way into the ring. The millions watching at home expected another ‘I am the greatest of all time, bow before me’ segment from Cena, and they got that, but in a way they did not expect. When Rhodes attacked him and forced him to agree to the match at Summerslam, instead of cursing him out, Cena thanked him.
He said, “I only got one thing to say to Cody: thank you. That was exactly the boot in the back that I needed. For 25 years, day in and day out, I have forged a reputation out of hard work, honesty, and respect. I now realise that five months ago I flushed it all down the toilet chasing false glory and some crazy idea to make shocking TV. It was shocking, but everyone on my team left. I want to take this championship with me when I am done, and I don’t want to do that because I want to ruin wrestling. I want to do that so you guys (audience) don’t forget me.” Cena continued to apologise to his fans, and as the segment went on, the tone of the superstar suddenly started changing. For the first time in five months, Cena wasn’t sounding like he was talking down to someone; his voice strengthened, and he started addressing the crowd directly, just like in the old days.
He said, “All of you tried to tell me, but I didn’t listen. You (Cody) forced me into a fight, something that is going to be brutal, something that is going to force me to dig down and be who I am. If I don’t show up for war, I shouldn’t show up at all. Mark your calendar for August 1, Newark, New Jersey, the day that John Cena came back to the WWE.” The crowd chanted Cena’s name as he screamed out, “The champ is here.” Cody then welcomed him back as Cena and Rhodes shared a beer and waved to the crowd.
