WWE News: WWE Superstar John Cena Not Returning In Time For ‘WWE TLC’ PPV As Recently Thought


WWE Superstar John Cena took time off, potentially, at the worst time he could have ever done so. WWE stars Cesaro, Randy Orton, and Seth Rollins all went down in his absence and the company is in major need of the star power John Cena brings to the ring. Fans are even coming out of the woodwork saying that a Cena return would be better than what we have to deal with now. Nothing like the new to create a want for the past it seems.

Cena left WWE for a while to film a new television show that will land on the FOX Network next Spring called “American Grit.” The show was set to film until mid to late December. The idea originally was that Cena would wrap up the filming of his show before the WWE TLC PPV that would be taking place live from Boston, Mass. on December the 13. This would allow him to return to WWE before the event or at the event according to The Wrestling Observer. However, we now know that Cena is set to finish filming on December 16th with his show.

This puts him out of WWE for a few days past the event. The idea for John Cena at WWE TLC going in was that he would come back to face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE United States Title in his entitled rematch for the gold. Del Rio really hasn’t defended the title much, if at all, since winning it from Cena back at WWE Hell in a Cell in the opening match. The match was terrible, but did contain the surprise return of Del Rio which made it fun.

WWE News John Cena
(Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)

Most assumed that Cena losing the title would make sense to whomever challenged him that night as they could defend the title while Cena was out and keep it in the limelight. However, Del Rio has done nothing with it and Cena holding the title would have been just as effective for the title at the end of the day. Del Rio did run into an issue as the Seth Rollins injury forced WWE to work Del Rio into the WWE World Heavyweight Title tournament, which pushed any U.S. Title plans out in favor of the biggest title in the company.

Cena not being back in time for the TLC PPV does hurt WWE a bit. Some think that since the show is going on near his hometown, he could make it. However, he is not really in town for the show due to his other taping schedule. However, Cena will be doing some press with NBC, as he will appear on The Today Show as well as The Tonight Show this week.

Despite what many assumed, WWE has not gone out and pushed for Cena to come back early. They agreed to let him have the time off and it has been good for him along with WWE. It has forced WWE to focus on other stars while it has given Cena a much needed break from the ring. While John claims he will never leave WWE like The Rock and others did, he is by no means the real Superman and can work until he dies.

John Cena
(Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)

Many believe John Cena only has a few good years left in him. Now that he is getting more offers from television and movie companies, it makes sense now more than ever for Cena to get a limited schedule with WWE and work sparingly for them.

Unlike Rock, who left and probably had a lot of wrestling ability left in him when he officially left WWE, Cena’s career is dwindling and any match could be his last. That makes the two stories different in a variety of ways, so it is tough to be upset with Cena over leaving when he has put in a ton of time with WWE. If he works a limited schedule for the next five to 10 years, it would be better for him and WWE as he could be an essential part of the roster off and on rather than being used full time when he could be done working at a high level in less than five years.

John Cena could be back with WWE by the end of December to help set up his role at the Royal Rumble PPV. WWE may have him face Del Rio for the U.S. Title there, but there is a chance they bypass this and have him in the Rumble.

[Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images]

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