Wrestling Six Packs: Six Best Fallbacks Should Cena REALLY Get Hurt

He's had the Big Gold Belt... how about a run with the flagship title if something happens to Cena? Photo Credit: WWE.com

So, John Cena isn't hurt that bad. His injury is more kayfabe than a real Achilles' tear, because if he did tear his tendon, he'd be out for months, not working in the aftermath and at Extreme Rules. However, this angle showed how tenuous a thread exists for WWE should something happen to Cena. CM Punk's out, and I doubt any of the part timers would come back to do the summer months. Usually, the summer is when WWE tries something new anyway. So, if Cena does suffer some catastrophic injury for real and has to miss time, here are six new choices they could have run with the ball:

1. Daniel Bryan

Duh.

Okay, that's not really a legit answer. There has to be some explanation, but I think Bryan has proven himself to be top face material. He's not only a wizard in appearance, but also in getting crowds behind him. Everyone already knew he could wrestle, but the amount of shutting up he's done of all his haters who said he couldn't be a successful WWE character has been staggering. If anyone has ever "deserved" a run at the top, it's him, and I feel like he'd actually shine in the pole position.

2. Kofi Kingston

Kingston feels retready, but really, when has he gotten a shot at the top? I mean, I'm not exactly his biggest fan in the ring, but I've always thought he had great charisma, especially on promos. There are only so many times a man can hold the secondary titles. You have to see what you have with the guy. Is he a viable main eventer, or is he a career midcard guy whom you trot out when you need a familiar face at product launches or press conferences? Now would be the best time to find out.

3. Fandango

Fandango would be the definition of a "stopgap." It's a strike on the iron while he's hot, and he as a challenger to, say, Ryback would be temporary unless he really caught fire. But a summer dalliance with a guy who actually brought them legit mainstream attention wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Plus, unlike other "gimmicks," the guy behind it is giving it his all. If anyone can make a main event push for a new character work, it's Johnny Curtis.

4. Cody Rhodes

While Rhodes has made his bones as a bad guy, and a good one at that, I could see him turning face and doing it well. Two things stuck out to me in the last few months. The first was how he interacted with Kaitlyn during that short-lived romance angle (that they may be revisiting, SECRET ADMIRER!). It was genuinely earnest, the kind of grassroots vibe that his father used to give off. Second was that RKO counter into the Cross Rhodes last night. If he can work counters and win matches out of nowhere into his finishing repertoire, then he can be an effective babyface. I think a turn is coming for him eventually, but if Cena ends up on the shelf, they could do a lot worse than Rhodes in the top role for a few months.

5. Kharma

Imagine Cena gets hurt, and Ryback has the title. He proclaims to the world that he destroyed the hero of WWE, the franchise, and that since he conquered the top of the mountain, there was no one in WWE who was worthy of taking him on. Then, Kharma's music hits, she comes out, and the roof theoretically blows off the arena. Well, at least in a perfect world, it would. I'm not sure how it'd play out to the live crowd, but I know I'd lose my shit. Plus, it would be a bold statement. Maybe I'm just a dreamer.

6. Santino Marella

Fuck the haters, this would rule. You know why? People generally love comedy characters, especially ones who get to succeed and do awesome things. Besides, wouldn't you rather see Santino get a shot in a main event story than seeing Randy Orton for the billionth time? Wait, don't answer that.