John Cena may only be wrestling for WWE on a part time basis nowadays, but that doesn’t mean that he is any less popular in the company. He is still the biggest star in the entire company and he sells more merchandise than any other wrestler available today as well. Though he has not wrestled ever since he proposed to Nikki Bella after his match at Wrestlemania 33, it seems that he could be returning sooner than expected. Cageside Seats is reporting that WWE is urgently trying to get Cena back early, and they also want him to continue wrestling on Smackdown.
The primary reason for WWE wanting to get Cena back is due to recent ratings that Smackdown has been getting. The NBA Playoffs, among other issues, has led to Smackdown receiving some poor ratings. WWE is apparently “desperate” to have Cena return. His current schedule in Hollywood is making it difficult for him to continue going on the road with the company, they may even be willing to have him do just a few one-off matches here and there from now on. It is an issue that they will become more even more fixated on if the Smackdown ratings continue to decline. He will likely return to the company for a big show like Summerslam, but he could possibly be coming back even earlier than that.
Ratings for Smackdown have been going down ever since the Superstar Shakeup. WWE has been trying to build up some new stars on the brand, such as Jinder Mahal, Breezango, and Mojo Rawley, but their efforts are not translating well in the ratings. John Cena is in high-demand in the movie industry, but history has shown that John Cena has no problem working a hectic work schedule and that he is the ultimate ‘company guy.’ WWE is currently taking a wait-and-see approach with the Smackdown ratings, but if they continue to slump down, expect to hear those trumpets again very soon.