Superman to Iron Man, John Cena Prevails

Last night, John Cena became the WWE Champion for a seventh-time, after having competed in an Anything Goes Iron Man Match. Much like the plot of the evening, the competitor with the most decisions left the winner. But it wasn’t for Bragging Rights; it was for survival and a means to an end.

Randy Orton and John Cena have been feuding for three years, and they destroyed one another. In 07, the victory went to Orton since he kicked Cena’s father in the skull and then made sure Cena would never make it to their No Mercy Title Match by injuring him. Cena suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was unable to compete; thus, McMahon awarded the vacant title to Orton, garnering his 2nd World Title. Orton, became even more vicious and a new dawn arrived, known as The Age of Orton.

In 2008, business picked up again as Cena’s unannounced return at the Royal Rumble won him a Wrestlemania Title shot, which he cashed in at the No Way Out pay-per-view, against WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Yet, The Viper made sure to retain his title over and over again.

Then… in 2009, the rivalry would ignite once again with several pay-per-view title matches. The matches began to escalate from one-on-one, to “I Quit,” and Hell in a Cell. The fans could not get enough, because this has turned to The Feud. But all this back and forth with the title, it could go on forever until the sands of time run out… This feud could have gone forever, but why not culminate all the matches from now to the end of time, with just one-time, one night, in one hour? This Iron Man Match decided it all, with 11 decisions in total.

The last time WWE had an Iron Man Match, 1997, the hour ended with no decisions; but in the last minute of the match, it almost looked as if the Iron Man Match would end in a draw. But just like Breaking Point, Cena made Orton tap out to the STF; thus, ending the defining feud of 2009. If Cena would have lost the match, he would have had to say goodbye to Monday Nights, and possibly make his way over to SmackDown. But now that the Champ is Here, Orton can no longer challenge Cena to any title matches, as were the rules of the stipulation of the match.

Now that the feud is over, what’s next for Randy Orton, and who will contend for the WWE Championship at The Survivor Series?