Royal Rumble
John Cena’s 440 lb. “pause bench” sends powerful message to AJ Styles
Cena sends bold message to Styles with incredible feat of strength
AJ Styles calls out John Cena: SmackDown LIVE, Jan. 24, 2017
Styles and Cena engage in a war of words en route to Royal Rumble WWE Title Match
AJ Styles explains why John Cena could never cut it in the indies: WWE Talking Smack, Jan. 24, 2017
AJ Styles explains why John Cena could never cut it in the indies
John Cena’s historic chase for his 16th World Title continues Sunday, Jan. 29, when he challenges WWE Champion AJ Styles at Royal Rumble 2017.
A victory for the Cenation leader would not only reestablish him as “The Face that Runs the Place,” a moniker Styles mocks with his “Champ that Runs the Camp” takeoff, but it would also thrust Cena into even more rarified air, tying him with WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair for the most World Title reigns ever.
Styles has denied Cena’s quest for the history books before, in October, when The Phenomenal One topped Cena and Dean Ambrose in a Triple Threat Match at WWE No Mercy. In that instance, an attack with a steel chair helped Styles put Cena’s shoulders on the mat for a three-count.
Cena maintained a low profile on SmackDown LIVE in the weeks that followed, turning his attention to his many projects outside the ring. But upon returning on Dec. 27, at SmackDown LIVE’s Wild Card Finals, the decorated Superstar confirmed that he has Team Blue’s top titleholder in his sights.
Previous showdowns between Cena and Styles - including their unreal series of dream matches over the summer, which culminated with Styles defeating Cena at SummerSlam - floored the WWE Universe, rivaling some of the most intense and dramatic bouts in sports-entertainment history.