WWE banned John Cena from using a deadly finisher

John Cena wanted to use a popular but deadly wrestling move as his finisher in his retirement tour. He had pitched the idea to the WWE creative team, but received a thumbs down.

It was the infamous 'Heart Punch' which Cena wanted to use as a finisher in his final year in WWE. The move carries a dark history in the wrestling industry. It was used by the late wrestler, Ox Baker, and he was known for using it to render his opponents unconscious during matches. It became famous after the death of wrestler Alberto Torres in 1971.

During a match in Nebraska, Torres collapsed after getting hit with the Heart Punch from Baker. Three days later, he died in the hospital. The official cause of his death was a ruptured appendix, but the wrestling promotion used it to build Ox Baker's heel character, claiming that the move from Baker led to Torres's death.

Apart from Torres, another wrestler, Ray Gunkel, died after a match with Ox Baker. Although the cause of the death was arteriosclerosis, the Heart Punch was blamed and used in kayfabe to further solidify Ox Baker's heel character. Cena wanted to bring back this iconic move, but wasn't allowed to.

During a recent appearance on Chris Van Vliet's show, Insight, John Cena said that the creative team didn't allow him to use this move because the company didn't think it was going to work.

"That whole heart punch idea you had, it’s probably not going to work," Cena said. [ H/T: Wrestling News]

John Cena said that he was looking for ways to adapt his in-ring style to match his physical capabilities, and also wanted to offer something new to the audience. However, he accepted the company's decision on it gracefully and adjusted his performance accordingly.

“Okay, let’s go. You know, I think I can ride this out," he said.

Moreover, this isn't the first time John Cena has tried to do something new. In 2018, he introduced his 'Lightning Fist' finisher, also called the 'Sixth move of Doom.'

The theatrical backfist strike was developed with the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, and Cena introduced it at Super Show-Down in Australia in 2018. However, this wasn't a controversial and risky move, and Cena has used it only on a few occasions.

John Cena will wrestle in his retirement match at SNME against Gunther

John Cena will square off against Gunther in his final match in WWE on December 13, at Saturday Night's Main Event, in Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C. Several big names are rumored to show up at The Final Testament Player's last match.

Former WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, and US President, Donald Trump, are rumored to be present at the arena. Their names haven't been confirmed and are only speculated.

However, a few big names like former WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura have been confirmed for SNME. It will be interesting to see how the promotion makes John Cena's last day in wrestling a special one.