Yesterday would have been the day. John Cena and Nikki Bella were supposed to tie the knot in front of friends and family on May 5. The biggest holy union since Triple H and Stephanie McMahon said “I Do” came crashing to a screeching halt when it was announced there would be no wedding, no happily ever after and certainly no possibility of future little Cenas jumping in a wrestling ring.

Now, there are rumors the sudden and impactful breakup was a “work” with the hope of driving ratings for the E! Entertainment program, Total Bellas.

Wait! What? A work in the wrestling business? Who thought of such a thing? We all know everything in the Vince McMahon circus is real? C’mon, man! Say it ain’t so. This could be the most shocking news since Hulk Hogan turned his back on the fans and joined the NOW.

If this is indeed true, it is sad and brilliant at the same time. While WWE has preached the idea of sports entertainment more than it has the traditions of the business and Kayfabe, this could be the new low in terms of fan reaction. And for Cena and Bella’s part in this, it proves money and fame are more important than decency.

According to the latest episode of the PWInsider Elite Audio Show, Mike Johnson stated that he heard people discussing this very idea. Here’s what he had to say:

“Speaking of Cena, I want to go back to the Backlash stuff. I have heard some rumblings that your theory may be correct about this entire situation being a work. I don’t have enough to report it or anything but there have definitely been some people who mutter, who have been whispering similar concerns. So you might be onto something there. So, I’m just telling you that if it comes out that this was a work, I am giving you credit now that you were the first one to call it.”

OMG! OMG! OMG! How will WWE put a spin on this one? This is as sinister a plot as any McMahon-driven story since Monday Night Raw was created 25 years ago. Since many news outlets have covered the proposal at WrestleMania 33 and the news of the breakup, how will this not affect the couple’s future, the show and how fans react to Cena sliding into a wrestling ring.

When they chat “John Cena Suck!” they might really mean it this time. This could also become the onus for Cena to finally make the heel turn fans have asked for going on a decade now. Cena used WrestleMania 33 in Orlando to cap a storybook love story with a mixed tag team match and diamond on the finger of the love of his life. The fans adored him and his soon-to-be bride. Now, I can see nothing but hatred and astonishment as the media tries to get to the bottom of this Big Show-sized swerve.

It’s hard to look at this story, or its potential and shake your head with a Cheshire cat-like grin. It’s also hard to imagine fans jumping back on the lovebirds’ bandwagon unless something more comes out of it in the future.