The Cena/Rusev Problem

[Maluco]

A while ago, I heard on a Jericho/Edge interview, how they tried to convince Cena that Wade Barrett should go over in the the Nexus match. This would help maintain Nexus as a threat and Barrett as a potential main event player in his own right.

As it was, Cena recovered from a DDT on the concrete and won the match. He was said to have told them afterwards that they were right and he made the wrong choice.

Fast forward to last night at Extreme Rules and Bad News Barrett is on the pre-show in a losing effort to a guy who was called up a month ago. Cena is fighting yet another upstart, and records his second straight win over him.

Payback is next month and surely a third lose in a row is the wrong choice for all concerned. Has Cena learnt from the past, do WWE care enough about Rusev, long term, to invest in him?

Is there any way out of the situation that protects Rusev other than a win? Lana throwing in the towel is an idea but it is still a 3rd straight loss, as well as being extremely predictable.

I would prefer if Rusev sacrificed Lana, which distracted Cena enough for him to get the win. Cena accidently hits Lana after Rusev moves, speculation about if rusev meant it, and in the confusion Rusev snaps on the accolade and Cena passes out.

Cena gets cheated because he was being the nice guy, Lana gets sympathy and Rusev gets the win he needs.

Cena is the main guy, the top star, but sooner or later, he needs to use his stardom to help elevate other guys. If he doesn't, and keeps scraping "hard fought wins", then we just have to hope that Undertaker, Brock and Triple H are around forever for Mania.

Any thoughts on how they should proceed at payback?