John Cena: Smackdown's Savior?

In the past few months, with Alberto Del Rio as the World's Heavyweight Champion, you wouldn't see that title featured as prominently on Smackdown as you would expect. John Cena is back. John Cena has won that title. John Cena is now showing up regularly on Smackdown. And there is a change. The person holding the title is actually being featured in the main spotlight again on Smackdown. And why not? John Cena is the centerpiece of the company, currently on a break from the main storyline going on, but obviously not in the doghouse since he has gotten another World title reign.

Aside from Cena's return leading to the WWE treating the World's Heavyweight Championship with more respect, which is something they could have done with Del Rio over the last few months in a better manner, what has this meant for Smackdown's ratings? It is obviously too early to say too much, since only one Smackdown has been aired with Cena as Champion at the time of my writing this. Nevertheless, that first night usually has the most hype around it. So, how did the ratings do? Last week's episode got a 1.9. The previous week's rating was a 1.94. Viewership was at 2.73 million, which was up from the previous week's 2.68 million. Not much of a bump in viewers. The ratings are about equal with what they have been in the last few weeks. Compared to this time last year, ratings are also in the same area. Smackdown has not gotten a 2.0 or better since around Wrestlemania this year. What do I make of all these numbers? Cena's return to Smackdown with the title hasn't seemed to cause a bump in the ratings. Again, it might be too soon to say anything. But I wouldn't expect ratings to bump dramatically in the coming weeks for Smackdown.

Why don't I expect a ratings bump? Even though Cena is back, they really aren't doing anything too interesting with him on Smackdown. There is no intriguing storyline on Smackdown. His feud with Alberto Del Rio is basic. Del Rio wants his title back. Nothing more to it than that. People have pointed out that Del Rio is not very over. Sandow is also not very over. Cena isn't exactly working with great star power since winning the title. And the fact that the storyline is so dry isn't helping. But toss all that aside. This is John Cena, right? The centerpiece of the company, the supposed top draw, is on Smackdown. Why shouldn't he overcome the odds of no big stars to work with and a mediocre storyline to draw big ratings? Blame it on Smackdown being taped? Regardless, wouldn't fans still want to tune in to see Cena entertain? That is what makes a wrestling performer a draw. People want to tune in or come to the shows to see this person perform. So far, fans are not showing any great sign of being entertained with Cena's act enough to watch Smackdown.

Let me just pose two questions. First, is the WWE testing John Cena's ability to draw? People frequently argue that the WWE should push Cena so hard because he is their top draw. What if he really can't draw? What if it is simply the general hype of Raw and the storylines they are pushing hard there that are the draw for Cena? Take all that away and put him on Smackdown. Can he still draw? Second question, are they phasing him out as the centerpiece? He's not exactly involved in a major storyline right now. Personally, I don't think they are really testing Cena's worth or trying to phase Cena out. This wouldn't be the first time Triple H and Randy Orton overshadowed whatever Cena was doing. I only pose the questions to get you to think about it. If you ask me, they should be testing his ability to draw and phase him out if he cannot bring great results. No need to bury him. Still push him as a main-eventer, but find a centerpiece that can really take you back in the right direction.