WWE banned John Cena from using a deadly finisher

John Cena wanted to use a popular but deadline-dated wrestling move as a finisher on his retirement tour. He had pitched the idea to WWE’s creative team, but it got a thumbs down.

It was the famous ‘Heart Punch’ that Cena wanted to use as a finisher in his last year in WWE. The move has a dark history in the wrestling industry. It was used by the late wrestler, Ox Baker, and was known to use it to knock his opponents unconscious during matches. It became famous after the death of fighter Alberto Torres in 1971.

During a match in Nebraska, Torres collapsed after being hit with Baker’s Heart Punch. Three days later, he died in hospital. The official cause of his death was a ruptured appendix, but the fight promotion used it to build up the heel character of Ox Baker, claiming that Baker’s move led to Torres’ death.

Aside from Torres, another fighter, Ray Gunkel, died after a match with Ox Baker. Although the cause of death was arteriosclerosis, the Heart Punch was blamed and used in kayfabe to further cement Ox Baker’s heel character. Cena wanted this iconic move back, but he wasn’t allowed to.

During a recent appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s show, InsightJohn Cena said the creative team didn’t allow him to use that move because the company didn’t think it was going to work.

“That spur of the moment idea you had, it’s probably not going to work,” Cena said. ( H/T: Wrestling News )

John Cena said he was looking for ways to adapt his in-ring style to fit his physical abilities and also wanted to offer something new to the audience. However, he accepted the company’s decision with grace and adjusted his performance accordingly.

“Okay, let’s go. You know, I think I can get out of this,” he said.

Also, this isn’t the first time John Cena has tried something new. In 2018, he introduced his finalist ‘Lightning Fist’, also called ‘Sixth Move of Doom’.

The theatrical backstab was developed with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, and Cena performed it at Australia’s Super Show-Down in 2018. However, it was not a controversial and risky move, and Cena has only used it on a few occasions.

John Cena will wrestle his retirement match at SNME against Gunther

John Cena will face Gunther in his final match in WWE on December 13th in the Saturday Night Main Event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC Several big names are rumored to be appearing in The Final Testament Player’s final match.

Former WWE Chairman Vince McMahonand US President Donald Trump are rumored to be in attendance at the arena. Their names have not been confirmed and are only being speculated.

However, some big names like former WWE CEO Stephanie McMahon and Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura have been confirmed for SNME. It will be interesting to see how the promotion makes John Cena’s last day of wrestling special.