The franchise player of the WWE missed an opportunity to compete in a WWE Championship match at Summerslam. Rather, he was pitted against a rookie player from Smackdown Live who is still finding it hard to establish his legacy. Baron Corbin was his opponent at last night’s show who has just lost the Money in the Bank briefcase.
It was an acid test for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner since he is facing constant negative reactions from the creative. A win against Cena means he could brag about it for a long time. Plus, this would have supposedly mark Cena’s last match from Smackdown Live, for now.
The #BiggestPartyOfTheSummer is upon us! #SummerSlam is now streaming LIVE from Brooklyn’s @barclayscenter on the award-winning @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/3mLvsDYdkM
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Nobody generates a #SummerSlam reaction quite like 16x #WorldChampion @JohnCena! pic.twitter.com/jcrDDR9U9U
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
A video package opened the Summerslam kick-off with this match between Cena and Corbin as a vocal crowd greeted the franchise player. Corbin got his brand new music entrance. The crowd went right after him for losing the Money in the Bank briefcase. They started irritating him saying “Where’s your briefcase?”
The fun and games are over, @JohnCena… #SummerSlam @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/3WQJqmZ5YB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2017
Perhaps, this was the sole reason that the Lone Wolf could not capitalise on the Cenation leader and the match was finished in a quick time. Cena went for a quick five knuckle shuffle following with an AA.
Chokeslam + Backbreaker = More pain than you can imagine… #SummerSlam @BaronCorbinWWE @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/ZOu9ieTQYs
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Throw up the ??…because @JohnCena is VICTORIOUS at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/l5HrASW2RG
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 2017
Corbin tried to come back by hitting him with a deep-six, but Cena managed to kick out. A clothesline levelled Corbin, as Cena picked him up on his shoulder and hit with the AA to take the pinfall win.
Comedian Jeff Ross and Michael Che of SNL were seen celebrating at ringside with John Cena once the match concluded.