Last night was an emotional Raw for the Boston, Massachusetts crowd. Boston’s hometown hero, John Cena, came to the TD Garden for one last time as a WWE Superstar. What started out as a farewell address in Boston ended up being one last match in Beantown for the Unseen 17. From a heel turn to breaking the record for most World Title reigns, it’s been a record-breaking year for John Cena. Now, the Champ further etches his place in history as John Cena wins the Intercontinental Title for the first time, making him a Grand Slam Champion. Find out the change of plans for Cena’s retirement and what’s next for the new IC Champion!
John Cena Wins Intercontinental Title from Dominik Mysterio
While Dirty Dominik Mysterio has been winning over WWE audiences with his Eddie Guerrero-like behavior, The Judgment Day star was overshadowed with boos for the first time in a long time in Boston. That’s because the estranged son of Rey Mysterio interrupted the GOAT in front of his home crowd.
Dominik doubled down on his greatness, claiming that he could defeat John Cena any time, anywhere, any era. That proclamation prompted Triple H to book Dominik Mysterio vs. John Cena for the Intercontinental Title in Boston.
The IC Title match ended up opening Raw, sending the hot crowd into a frenzy. At one point, Dirty Dom tried cheating by banging a chair to the ground behind a ref’s back and hitting the ground. He did this to insinuate Cena hit him with the chair. Cena would take the same bump to the ground and move the chair closer to Dominik. This comedic moment saw John Cena give a cartoonish-like wink to Dom, which has already become a viral meme on social media.
In the end, Dominik hit John Cena with a Frog Splash. However, the 17-time World Champion rolled through. John Cena hoisted Dominik Mysterio onto his shoulders and dropped him with an AA to win his first and only IC Title.
Big Changes In Plans Post-Wrestlepalooza
As we first reported here, Dominik Mysterio was penciled in to be one of John Cena’s final opponents. The clash between Dirty Dom and the GOAT was to happen at Survivor Series in San Diego.
It’s being reported that John Cena was going to win the IC Title at Survivor Series. However, many different factors impacted the final decision.
The Rising Popularity of Dominik Mysterio
For one, Dominik Mysterio is becoming one of the top babyfaces organically. Crowds love his character and how he gets away with cheating, much like Los Guerreros used to do.
WWE anticipates Dominik Mysterio to get a hometown hero’s welcome in San Diego. Therefore, John Cena beating Dirty Dom in his hometown might cause more boos for the moment than cheers. Nonetheless, Dominik Mysterio is expected to wrestle his biological father, Rey Mysterio, at the Survivor Series in front of their hometown crowd.
Consequently, John Cena received a thunderous ovation on Raw. The future Hall of Famer had his last match in Boston while securing the honor of becoming a Grand Slam Champion. Now, John Cena is free to do something else at Survivor Series!
John Cena to Join War Games Super Team?
John Cena has never held the IC Title before. He’s also never been in Warm Games. This John Cena retirement tour has been a lot of firsts for the star, so why not put him in the War Games cage?
Last night, William Regal announced that there will be War Games at Survivor Series. He informed CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso that they will be going up against The Vision’s Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker.
This match is a slight change from the original plans. Prior to Seth Rollins’ injury, he was going to be a part of the match. In addition, Austin Theory was expected to become a member of The Vision. However, these plans continue to evolve.
It’s expected that Roman Reigns will join the babyface team. Many backstage are calling it a “super team.” It’s currently unknown if War Games will have four or five men on each side. However, there are rumblings that John Cena could be the fifth man on the babyface side.
Having John Cena align with top stars like Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso can make for a big moment. After ESPN’s disappointment with Wrestlepalooza, WWE is looking to pull out all the stops with Survivor Series.
Brock Lesnar is expected to join The Vision in War Games, which would really up the ante. If John Cena is to join the other side, it could still be an excellent opportunity to bring back Austin Theory. After all, Austin Theory defeated John Cena at WrestleMania 39.
What’s Next After John Cena Wins Intercontinental Title?
Although John Cena’s retirement tour is taking a stop in San Diego at the Survivor Series, its final destination is in Washington, D.C. for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th.
WWE is currently holding a Last Time Is Now Tournament to determine who will have the honor of wrestling John Cena in his last match. As we reported here, the current frontrunner to win is Gunther. Gunther has been off of television after a nose injury a few months ago.
After a long absence, Gunther’s name was pulled out of the tumbler last night during the drawing for next week’s The Last Time Is Now Tournament Matches. The Ring General will make his return against NXT star Je’Von Evans.
Gunther is the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. He also ended Goldberg’s career on Saturday Night’s Main Event earlier this year. So, reclaiming the IC Title and ending John Cena’s career all in one night would be a huge accolade for the Austrian Superstar.
