John Cena Plants US Flag First at Battleground

John Cena has defended America's honor once again. It took about 30 minutes and 2 tables, but the [...]

John Cena has defended America's honor once again. It took about 30 minutes and 2 tables, but the 16x WWE Champion defeated Rusev in their Battleground Flag Match.

For the finish, Cena adjusted the Bulgarian Brute's attitude off of the American flag platform and onto two tables. After that, Cena successfully planted the American Flag and lowered taxes.

Maybe not the last part, but it served at Battleground's patriotic moment, nonetheless. The match itself was fine, but the slow, and highly predictable contest will likely be the last Flag Match WWE hosts for a while.

Up Next: John Cena: My Days Are Numbered

This feud got rolling when John Cena made a highly anticipated return from hiatus on July 4th. His red, white, and blue coronation was stifled by Rusev, who crashed the party with a barrage of anti-American insults. Their dueling promo quickly turned into a Bulgaria vs. USA discussion and naturally lead to tonight's flag match.

On a recent episode of his podcast, Bischoff on Wrestling, the former WCW boss had quite the hot take regarding the creation of this match:

"I hate it. I just hate it. I hate it. I hate it. God, whose idea was that? Vince McMahon, if you are listening to this or someone that works for you is listening to this re-think that...My teeth hurt just listening to you talk about this."

More: John Cena Sings 'Country Roads' at WV House Show

For Bischoff, the concept of a flag match is outdated and something fans just won't be able to get into:

"What's a Flag Match?! What the hell is a Flag Match?! It's like it's been around for a thousand years and everybody knows what a Flag Match is. So, I am going to take your flag? Or, you're going to take my flag? I am sorry… do not care. Boring."

The former RAW GM may right. A flag match just doesn't seem to fit in 2017's WWE. Especially considering John Cena and Rusev had feuded before on exactly the same contention: my country is better than yours. While this may be a timeless formula in wrestling psychology, the market for this story is already full.

For Cena, rumors have been circulating that he will keep his Mr. America run going and will face Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam. But that's assuming Mahal leaves tonight still WWE Champion.

The Bulgarian Brute will likely envy Cena's top spot as he looks to be right where he was in 2015 after Cena pinned him at WrestleMania 31.

We'll know plenty more this Tuesday after SmackDown.

0comments