Real question: is Cena going to be the last mainstream crossover top guy they have?
No one held the company down as long as him as the top guy as he did and he’s the biggest star the company has created in like two decades who is a legitimate draw in the ring and outside the ring.
Unless they have a drastic change in corporate culture, yes. Cena had the good fortune to pop before they decided that they didn't want anyone to become "bigger than the brand" . Which is ironic considering the way they lust after mainstream press and recognition. Easiest way to get what they *claim* they want is to have a crossover star but they don't want to let anyone reach a level where they could eclipse WWE and throw up deuces on their way to bigger and better.
The best the current (and most likely future) crop of performers can hope for is Miz level success. You make some films for WWE studios, you get a reality show (that WWE is a part of), you take that platform and carve out a nice little lane of tv appearances and outside stuff. It's not Rock level, but it's nice and more importantly, it doesn't make Vince and co. feel threatened so they'll allow it.