John Cena is set to make his highly anticipated return on the last edition of SmackDown on December 30, 2022. Although the sixteen-time WWE Champion returned briefly in late June to celebrate his 20th anniversary with the company, 2022 marks Cena’s complete absence from in-ring competition. Ever since the leader of the Cenation departed from his active role as a wrestler for a full-time career in Hollywood, Cena has been a sight for sore eyes for some fans, however, other fans find his return unnecessary.
Regardless, it’s no secret that John Cena’s return will be met with excitement among his devoted fans. Earlier, a report suggested that Cena was likely to miss WrestleMania 39 because of his movie schedule.
He is going to be involved in a new comedy movie project “Ricky Stanicky” that would keep him occupied throughout February and March.
However, new reports state that John will make it to WrestleMania 39 for a match for the first time in three years.
John Cena’s potential opponents for WrestleMania 39
Xero News reported that John Cena will take time out of his movie schedule and return to face either Austin Theory, LA Knight, or Logan Paul. For months, Austin Theory was in the public eye as a potential opponent for John Cena at Mania 39.
However, it is reported that the addition of LA Knight and Logan Paul to the equation has made Theory’s chances to face Cena at Mania very slim. We still cannot rule out Theory as a potential competitor as both Cena and Theory cut a heated promo backstage in late June.
Ref Cena at Mania
We are told he is still planned for Mania as of a few hours ago.
Logan Paul, LA Knight & Austin Theory are the options for Cena at Mania.
I was told Theory is the least likely option
I was told Cena vs Logan is the frontrunner, Knight is 2nd option for Cena
— Xero News (@NewsXero) December 9, 2022
Notwithstanding that Austin Theory was handpicked by former CEO Vince McMahon to be the next rising star, Logan Paul’s stellar performance at Crown Jewel may easily supersede Theory’s chances to face Cena.
Paul is currently nursing a knee injury and will reportedly be ready to return to the ring in six weeks. As for LA Knight, he is currently involved in a feud with Bray Wyatt but is also named as a potential opponent for Cena.
Knight has even teased a match with Cena in the past. Until we get any official confirmation from WWE, it is all fantasy.
John Cena will finally return to WrestleMania for the first time in three years
John Cena’s last appearance on the grandest stage was in 2020 at WrestleMania 36 where he competed with Bray Wyatt in a Firefly Fun House match in a losing effort.
The match was a great mix of fear and fun as fans witnessed a cameo from John Cena’s old gimmick, The Doctor of Thugonomics. Wyatt picked up the win after he shape-shifted into the Fiend. If he does fight at the Show of Shows, WrestleMania 39 will mark his first WrestleMania match after three years.
Cena’s last match was a non-televised event where he teamed up with the Mysterios, faced the Bloodline, and emerged victorious in September 2021.
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