Much to the relief of WWE’s fanbase, John Cena reassumed the role of babyface on the SmackDown before SummerSlam.
Despite losing the Undisputed Title to Cody Rhodes — in a bout widely considered Cena’s best in years — Cena is now able to close out his career as the beloved legend he is to the WWE audience.
Now only four months out from retirement, his final match seems set to take place at TD Garden in Boston this December.
One question remains: who will be his opponent that night? Here are six possibilities.
6. Brock Lesnar
John Cena’s next, and perhaps last, major feud is with Brock Lesnar, which became clear when Lesnar returned to the company at SummerSlam.
The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that the pair are set to square off on September 20 at a yet-to-be-named PLE, a date set purposely to counter-program AEW’s own PPV, All Out.
The two share a storied history in WWE dating back to 2002 – in fact, Cena’s first shot at the WWE World Title came against Lesnar at Backlash 2003, with Cena as the heel and Lesnar as babyface.
The question is: could this feud last into December for Cena’s final dance?
Click the next page button below for more
5. AJ Styles
John Cena’s WWE run began in 2000, but for the first 15 years of his legendary career his in-ring work was widely considered limited, with his bouts as a babyface frequently met by the crowd chanting “You can’t wrestle.”
In later years, the chant faded as he demonstrated his ability to deliver big-time main event matches.
His most widely celebrated in-ring bouts came against AJ Styles in a feud that began in 2016 after Styles arrived from his run in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, with their matches at Money in the Bank 2016 and SummerSlam 2016 considered among the best of Cena’s career and some of the top main roster WWE bouts of that era.
Could they repeat the magic and have Cena bow out with an in-ring classic?
Click the next page button below for more
4. Randy Orton
It would be hard to dispute that Randy Orton was John Cena’s biggest rival over the years, with their careers forever intertwined.
Both the company’s chosen ones, the pair represented contrasting archetypes of WWE main event stars: Cena the ultimate heroic babyface and Orton the most despicable of heels, battling over and trading various versions of the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
The two met with the roles reversed this year at Backlash, with Cena as heel champion and Orton as babyface challenger, and Cena cheating to win, leaving the story seemingly unfinished.
We could see Cena, on his final night, face Orton, closing the book on both their rivalry and his career.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Jacob Fatu
The late member of the renowned Anoa’i family, Umaga, was another of John Cena’s greatest career rivals.
Together, the pair had one of Cena’s most memorable – and violent – bouts of his two-and-a-half decade career: the Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble 2007.
Given that history, it would be fitting for Cena to bow out against another member of the Anoa’i family, Umaga’s nephew, Jacob Fatu.
Fatu has caught fire since his debut last year with the company, and together they could deliver a chaotic and intense war of attrition that throws back to 2007 – with a win for Fatu pushing him into the upper echelon of WWE.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Gunther
Gunther has had a wildly successful run in WWE over the past two years as a dominant Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Champion.
At the recent Saturday Night’s Main Event, he was entrusted with having the last match of Goldberg’s career.
The unfailingly excellent Austrian performer was able to get the very best out of the limited 58-year-old Goldberg in his swan song.
Come December, he could potentially do the same for John Cena.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is WWE’s next chosen one.
This is hardly uninformed speculation, but rather something foreshadowed by Paul Heyman, who noted on the May 26 edition of Raw that Breakker would main event WrestleManias 45 through 50.
Like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and John Cena before him, he is soon to become the company’s face, but he is not there yet, still playing the role of heel henchman for Seth Rollins and Heyman.
However, a win over John Cena in the final match of his career could be the spark that lights the fuse, as Breakker explodes to the top of the card.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…