Possible Endings to Cena vs. Lesnar

It’s almost here. Summerslam 2014 is clearly a highly-anticipated event – the most anticipated since Wrestlemania – and right at the centre, we find reigning WWE World Champion John Cena against “The Streak Champion” Brock Lesnar.

So, as we all indulge our mental armchair-booking games, let’s take a look at the possibilities, the pros, the cons and their likelihood of each option:

1. Vintage “Cena Wins LOL”

Cena can win as he always does. His opponent has the upper-hand more frequently, hits his finishers but, as the shirt says, it’s Cena with the:

You’re welcome for the unsolicited yet psychology-filled heelbook shirt plug.

This is a highly unlikely option for me, for various reasons:
– It has already happened at Extreme Rules 2012
– It’s a win Cena doesn’t need – it doesn’t further his character or his credibility
– Most importantly, it buries the gigantic momentum Brock got at Wrestlemania 30

2. Brock Wins (Almost) Clean

Lesnar should take it while looking like a monster, but still use Heyman’s interference, to give Cena his “protective cushion” of having lost the war due to a third party.

I don’t see Cena losing straight up, though by no means would I rule it out completely. It just seems that, while last year a babyface Daniel Bryan benefited tremendously from a clean win over Cena, Brock doesn’t.

I see this a bit like Rock vs. Brock back in 2002. Brock will look great but, as the heel in the eyes of the young Cena fan, it only makes sense to get more heat on the would-be-new champion, while setting up a potential rematch on the premise that the ending of Summerslam was tainted by interference.

The other pro of booking it for Brock to win is that it’ll make them 1-1 (this side of Brock’s WWE tenure). Which means a rubber match should be a relatively easy sell.

This feels like the likeliest of options.

3. Cena Wins… Gets Destroyed… Rollins’s music plays

Cena wins but basically “kills” himself to get there. He’s highly vulnerable and even takes more punishment from Lesnar after the bell. The writing is on the wall: with Cena laid out, it’s Rollins’s time to cash in.

If we still had 2 World Championships, I would 100% guarantee you that Seth Rollins would hold one of them. Now, with only one world title in the mix, the powers-that-be may think the air is too thin in the title picture for Rollins.

And, from my view, it does seem too soon for one hell of an ascending midcarder to get slingshot into such a spot. It would be anything but organic and very risky for a talent like Rollins, who has thus far seemed highly bankable.

However, if WWE does actually want to move on a short Rollins title run, few opportunities will make as much sense as having Cena destroyed by Brock.

But again, not likely.

4. Draw

As someone who in the past struggled with some booking decisions, I thoroughly recommend this option… if anyone in WWE creative is on-hand and has a death wish.

With the amount of anticipation on this card and the momentum behind both men – especially Brock – it seems unlikely and not very clever to make the highly-touted Summerslam main event end without adequate conclusion.

Hopefully, WWE doesn’t go Orton vs. Bryan on us.

5. Cena Wins… With Help

Personally, I don’t think it makes sense for Brock to lose here. His momentum should be protected. Even more than Cena’s push.

But hey, if you’re gonna do it, here’s how:

Let’s say Brock is about to win. Let’s say he’s been cheating incessantly throughout the match, building up his karmic deposit.

Let’s say, late in the match, there’s a ref bump. It seems Cena is finally done for, when suddenly… GONG. The lights go out. Another GONG. No lights, no lights. We wait to see what this will amount to exactly. The lights come back on. Undertaker is in the ring. Heyman looks flabbergasted. Brock can’t believe his eyes.

With the ref down, Taker hits the Tombstone and leaves. Like a boss. Cena gathers himself just enough to crawl over for a suspenseful 3-count from a semi-conscious referee.

Cena stays champion. Brock loses, but with considerable interference. Wrestlemania 31 already has a match, as Taker returns for redemption and the man who beat his streak. And I don’t see many people expecting it. But they’d damn sure pop and the event would get the kind of memorable ending WWE hasn’t been able to put together for a while.

And yes, this option reeks of far-fetched. But, from my estimation, the booking seems to hold up just enough for it to be a viable option. Of course, that’s just my heel opinion and, according to a recent study, every die-hard wrestling fan has 3-4 arm-chair bookers living inside his head.

How about you? What do you think will happen?

Check back later for the Summerslam 2014 Drinking Game. Meanwhile:

Photo credit: WWE