Within the next couple months, John Cena began a meteoric rise to main-event status in the WWE. He was being compared to guys like Hulk Hogan and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, with many seeing him as the company's next big star. From the moment you first saw him, you knew Cena was different from the men who transcended the WWE before him. He would usually dress up in jerseys representing the sports team of the city he was in, jean shorts, and Reebok pumps. Cena also called himself "The Doctor of Thuganomics" and came out to a rap song he performed himself entitled "Basic Thuganomics." Cena also insulted each of his opponents in the form of a rap before each match, and called his fanbase The Cenation. Oftentimes, Cena claimed his opponents "can't see me," which became his most recognizable catchphrase. Cena easily gained the largest following of any Superstar in the WWE. The night after Unforgiven, Cena debuted a new WWE Championship belt to reflect his rapper character. Triple H slowly made his way out of WWE Championship contention. In December, he started a feud with Mr. Kennedy. At Armageddon, The Game defeated the young upstart. But at the Royal Rumble, the Green Bay Loudmouth returned the favor and eliminated The Cerebral Assassin in the 30-man Royal Rumble match after both men made it to the final three, along with Randy Orton. The Legend Killer eliminated Kennedy ultimately to win the match. At No Way Out, Kennedy defeated Triple H after reversing the Pedigree into an inside cradle for the win. The next day, Triple H asked for his release from WWE. Immediately, the company announced on it's website that Triple H has quit the WWE. It was also announced that night on RAW. The day after that, The King of Kings' profile was taken off the website into the Alumni category. Triple H claimed on WrestleZone's official website that he was being underutilized on the roster, and he wanted to pursue other hobbies with his father. Triple H then went on a world tour with his dad the next week to wrestle top talents from around the globe, including the White Wonder in a special match in Rome, Italy. The Game handed Italy's top wrestler his first clean loss ever. He did, however, make a special appearance at WrestleMania 13 from the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago, via satellite from his hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Kennedy, however, interrupted and said that he was the reason that Triple H left the WWE. The Cerebral Assassin then stated that when he returns, he'll get rid of Kennedy once and for all. Speaking of WrestleMania, Cena defeated Orton to retain the WWE Championship that same night. Cena debuted a new entrance theme that night entitled "My Time Is Now," which he performed himself with his cousin Marc Predka (Tha Trademarc), and gave his fanbase a second nickname: Chain Gang Assault Battalion. The feud between the two carried on until June. At Vengeance, WWE's June pay-per-view, Cena again defeated Orton to retain the title, this time in a Submission Match. Orton, frustrated at losing again, attacked The Champ and RKO'ed him on the stage-twice! The Legend Killer then brought his car and drove it onto the stage. He put Cena in it, and set the car in reverse as it crashed into the Vengeance set, causing an explosion. Cena was then placed on a stretcher. It was announced the next day on various wrestling sites that Cena suffered a torn ligament in his right arm during the match and will be out of action for three to five months. The injury angle was put in place so Cena could have surgery on his arm. At first, Cena said in a interview that his right arm was a bit tight, but WWE officials said that if it was aggravated during the match, or worse, then the injury angle would be done. Cena claimed that his arm was completely torn off the bone and that referee Jack Doan gave him and Orton signals to let them know that the angle would be done. This, however, was done off camera so the fans watching at home couldn't see it. When Cena was given the signal, a closeup of Orton was shown. When Orton was given the signal, a closeup of Cena was shown. That night on RAW, Jim Ross announced the storyline reason for Cena's injury, saying that Orton injured it during his post-match assault. Jerry "The King" Lawler stated that Cena has relinquished the WWE Championship and that situation would be taken care of. The next day, surgery was successfully completed on Cena's right arm by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. In September, WWE reported that Cena is well ahead of schedule to return and has gone through intense rehabilitation (or rehab, as the kids say) to come back as soon as possible. During this time, Cena entered the rap world with his debut album entitled You Can't See Me. To see how the WWE Championship dilemma will be dealt with, and what's next for Randy Orton, read my next story, Great American Bash 1997. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
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