8:08 PM EST

THE UK SUN has posted a story regarding WWE Champion John Cena's injury and the end of his historic title reign, penned by The Lilsboys and www.wrestlingnewsdesk.com writer Matthew Cooper.
 
Here is the link to the article in The Sun: The Sun Online - Wrestling: The Champ is outta here.
 
 
The Champ is outta here
By THE LILSBOYS and MATTHEW COOPER
October 03, 2007
THE UK SUN
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2007460007,00.html
 
The WWE's longest world championship reign in nearly 20 years is over.

John Cena has relinquished the belt he has held for the last 380 days due to an injury sustained in the main event with Mr Kennedy on this week's Raw.

His muscle tear was so bad he couldn't even make it to this Sunday's No Mercy PPV, in order to lose the strap in the ring to rival Randy Orton as is tradition when a champion gets hurt.

Instead the WWE's website noted: "Because of the seriousness of the injury, WWE officials will not allow Cena to compete at No Mercy and he will have no choice but to surrender the title."

John is expected to be out for the next six to 12 months, meaning he will definitely miss Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble - and very possibly next year's WrestleMania too.

A new match-up, for the vacant belt, will be announced by boss Vince McMahon by the end of the week.

According to wrestlingnewsdesk.com, Cena was diagnosed with a complete tear of the right pectoral muscle by Dr James Andrews and will undergo immediate surgery.

Cena, who likes to call himself The Champ, was insistent backstage at Raw that he would perform at No Mercy and drop the title in the ring to Orton.

But after speaking to his doctor and Vince, John decided to go ahead with the surgery right away and miss the PPV.

A WWE source said: "Cena said the sooner he's operated on, the sooner he's back."

Other than a Chris Benoit style tragedy, this is the biggest blow the WWE could suffer.

Love or hate Cena, no one can deny his pulling power.

The number of women and children coming to WWE shows has increased, and John's appeal is the major reason.

His merchandise is also flying off the shelves - from chains to T-shirts he is almost a one-man money pressing machine.

Even pure grappling fans - who enjoy booing The Champ - have to admit his ring work is the best it has ever been.

Over the last 12 months he has had cracking contests with Edge, Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton and even did the impossible by getting a good match out of the immovable Great Kahli.

The one positive for the WWE and fans is the timing.

Triple H, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker have all just returned from their own injuries - giving a much-needed boost to the federation's star power.

Most of the grapplers suspended for buying steroids over the Internet are also back, meaning Ken Kennedy, Umaga, William Regal and co are all in play for No Mercy and beyond.

That leaves only Cena, Michaels and Edge as the big names on the sidelines, although it still seems likely that legends Ric Flair and King Booker won't be coming back.

But while no man is ever bigger than the WWE, right now Cena is the closest thing McMahon has to a Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Smackdown commentator JBL summed up the feeling of many when he said: "Cena has been our number one guy for quite a long time. The whole company is riding on his back.

"But now you've got an opportunity for somebody to step up. My opportunity to become a main-event guy came because Brock Lesnar decided to play football, and Big Show and some of the other big names were hurt.

"Somebody has an opportunity to step up here, an opportunity they wouldn't normally have."

For the WWE's sake we hope that person comes along quickly.