John Cena's Legend Has Grown with Recent Nose Injury

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Credit: wwe.com
John Cena on Tough Enough

John Cena's broken nose has been shown in all its graphic glory since the moment the injury occurred.  Cena suffered the injury after receiving a hard knee from Seth Rollins, and since that time, WWE has replayed the footage over and over.

At this point, those most upset or frustrated are surely his critics; this latest injury has done nothing but add to Cena's legend.

Another injury is not what any of those critics wanted.  Every time Cenagoes through something, WWE programming focuses on it so much that it can never be forgotten.  From his torn pectoral muscle in 2007to his neck injury in 2008 to his triceps injury in 2013, Cena's record of physical damage is there for the whole world to see.

WWE will never let anyone forget it.

credit: wwe.com

Cena, after suffering the broken nose

But this is far more than just one man enduring the typical wear-and-tear life of a professional wrestler. This is Cena, WWE's top guy and main focal point as a company.  His injuries are not just a risk of his profession; they're chapters in his legend.

When Cena gets hurt, he's back in no time.  His incredible physique and unbelievable conditioning make it possible, as does his immense desire to get back in the ring as soon as possible.  Nothing can hold him back, and no one can tell him no; he insists on pushing himself and getting back to the fold despite what anyone says.

If all of that sounds familiar, it should: It's all part of Cena's gimmick.

Never give up, never back down, never surrender: This is Cena's mantra and has been from the moment he rose to the top.  Those qualities make him not only a role model to kids but also an inspiration to adults facing injuries themselves

If Cena can go through pain and come back stronger than ever, anyone can.  

It's a brilliant strategy, and one that has served WWE well.  Capitalizing on superhero Cena's strengths and physical attributes makes him larger than life and gives WWE a great hook to sell him to the audience. Spotlighting his commitment to the business endears him to his fans, who have believed in him from the very start.

Meanwhile, his critics could not be angrier.

Cena's positives as an athlete completely negate the hate against him, and WWE knows it.  How can anyone criticize Cena's determination after seeing him finish a match despite suffering a very painful broken nose?  The fact is, they can't.  No one can.

WWE could not be happier.

Every time Cena gets hurt, the injury does nothing but get him over.  It's almost as if WWE works an injury to accomplish that for him.  While no one in the company ever wants to see an injury take place, especially to the top guy, the truth is that this has helped Cena in the long run.

It's pushed his career to "legendary" status.

Anyone believing his time at the top is nearing an end need only look at his drive to be at the top.  While the show must go on for any worker who gets hurt in the ring, it always means more when Cena does it, thanks to not only his heart but to WWE as well.

His toughness is constantly on display and always part of who he is.  When Cena does step away from the ring, his resilience is likely the first thing that will be remembered about him, not the controversial fan reactions he endured.

WWE would have it no other way.

There can be no doubting Cena's appeal as an infallible role model who refuses to quit. Despite how many of his critics rip him, many of them likely have kids who look up to him, and there is nothing wrong with that.  The time-honored traditions of good versus evil and right versus wrong keeps the business of professional wrestling afloat, andCena's character is a great player in that drama.

But his career will not quite be remembered as everyone else's will.  His run has become the stuff of legend, and that legend is only growing.