The following is from WWE.com:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ?” WWE Champion John Cena has suffered a complete tear of his right pectoral tendon and is heading into surgery, according to noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Because of the seriousness of the injury, WWE officials will not allow Cena to compete this Sunday at No Mercy, and he will have no choice but to surrender the title. Dr. Andrews said Cena could miss between six and eight months of action. Cena was injured during his match with Mr. Kennedy Monday night on Raw. According to WWE physician Dr. Ferdinand Rios, Cena’s injury was more serious than initially thought. “He has a complete tear of his pectoralus major muscle,” Rios said. “Because he’s so big, [the tendon tear] is behind the muscle. It was hard to diagnose.” Rios said Cena will be hospitalized for a few days to learn the rehabilitation procedure he must undergo. His arm will be immobilized for a week and then therapists may allow him to start moving it so that the arm doesn’t become stiff. Rios said that Cena is so dedicated to WWE that he wouldn’t be surprised to see him return sooner than later. “I suspect that John might be able to come back sooner [than most people with this injury], as he’ll train vigorously,” Rios said. Before visiting Dr. Andrews, Cena had said last night, “No matter how serious the injury, one way or another I’ll be ready to compete on Sunday.” But despite Cena’s vow, WWE officials will not allow him to compete at No Mercy. Therefore, he must surrender the WWE Championship.
No Mercy will represent the end of an era for John Cena and the beginning of a new one for one Superstar as a new WWE Champion will be crowned. For more than a year, John Cena proudly held the WWE Championship. He turned back all challengers, but an injury brought an end to his nearly 13-month title reign. Cena suffered a complete tear of his right pectoral tendon during a match with Mr. Kennedy on Raw. Because of the seriousness of the injury, WWE officials will not allow Cena to compete in his scheduled Last Man Standing Match with Randy Orton at No Mercy, and had no choice but to surrender the title. Cena’s injury represents a new opportunity for several WWE Superstars. Orton has shown that he will do anything for the WWE Championship. Mr. Kennedy has long said that he is the future of WWE and believes he has a point to prove. And what about Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, who has received very few WWE Championship opportunities in his career? Or does Cena’s injury represent a new opportunity for a Superstar who is not a member of the Raw locker room? Details at this time are unclear. One thing is certain, however: There will be a WWE Championship Match this Sunday at No Mercy, and a new WWE Champion will be crowned.
