John Cena, Source: WWE.com
WWE’s biggest (and only) free agent has had a good run on SmackDown Live. Who could John Cena feud with if he jumps to Raw after SummerSlam?
John Cena has been the face of WWE for over a decade. After the brand split last summer, Cena was drafted to SmackDown Live. It seemed like a way to try and bolster the perceived B-show. Putting the most recognizable WWE superstar of the day on Tuesdays would give more casual fans a reason to tune in.
Over the year-plus since the draft, SmackDown has more than proven itself as being of equal caliber to Raw, WWE’s flagship show. Also in that timeframe, Cena has slowly transitioned to a somewhat part-time superstar. Both major television programs have managed to churn on without Cena, thanks to performances by the likes of AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, and many others.
After a somewhat lengthy absence, Cena returned to SmackDown on July 4. Ahead of that appearance, WWE.com posted an article revealing that Cena became a “free agent” during the Superstar Shake-Up after WrestleMania 33. Cena himself admitted his time as a WWE superstar was likely limited. But he said he would appear on whichever brand he wanted to make the most of the time he had.
With SummerSlam over and done, and a victory over Baron Corbin in the books, could Cena be jumping to Raw? He’s no stranger to Monday nights, and with Brock Lesnar looking like he’s taking another break there’s a spot open.
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Who could John Cena feud with on Raw? Here are three possibilities.
3. Braun Strowman
There are so many reasons why this could be a huge money feud for WWE.
First off, Strowman is the hottest new superstar WWE has produced in, jeez, I don’t even know how long. He’s transformed into the most destructive force in the company – and this is the same company that employs Brock Lesnar. Speaking of Lesnar, if SummerSlam didn’t make you a believer in the Strowman hype, you need to reexamine your fandom. The fans eat up everything he does, from the ambulance destruction to the walking off of a murder attempt. Strowman is the definition of unique and special when it comes to talent.
Now, put him opposite John Cena in a WWE ring. You have the guy who made a career on slaying the unslayable. He’s so unstoppable that you can’t even refer to him as an underdog. It’s like he’s David and Goliath in one body – he’s the most powerful competitor in WWE, but he’s portrayed to always be at a disadvantage.
If these two superstars were to clash in a big match, it would be a spectacle like few others in history. We’ve seen both Cena and Strowman take down guys like Big Show. There was the impressive streak of Strowman demolishing any number of local competitors, and his destruction of Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Don’t forget Cena’s historic number of championship title reigns. I don’t want to overstate things, but this could be waaaaay bigger than Hogan v. Andre at WrestleMania III.
2. Samoa Joe
If Cena feuded with Joe, there’s a lot of history that can be brought up during the build.
Way back in the early 2000s, Cena and Joe had some of their earliest wrestling experience with Ultimate Pro Wrestling. The California-based promotion had ties to WWE’s developmental program at the time. The video at the top of this page was posted by WWE back in December. Their past relationship going from enemies in the ring to friends out of it is definitely something to mention if these two go to war on Raw.
If WWE is already acknowledging past history between these two, it’s only a matter of time before their paths cross in a WWE ring. A lot has obviously changed since UPW, but both guys have had their fair share of successes. We know Cena tied Ric Flair’s record of 16 world championship reigns. But Joe is also a multi-time former world champion in Ring of Honor and TNA. He’s also the first two-time NXT Champion in history.
Interestingly, there’s already a John Cena vs. Samoa Joe match being advertised. One week after SummerSlam, WWE is holding a Raw Live Event in Tupelo, Mississippi. That show is currently advertising what would be the first WWE match between these two accomplished grapplers. As always, card is subject to change, but it’s an interesting wrinkle in this thought experiment.
1. Roman Reigns
It’s so obvious, I almost didn’t want to put it on the list. But my brain said, “Well, there’s Bray Wyatt,” and I went NOPE NOPE NOPE BEEN THERE DONE THAT. So here we are.
When Cena was initially advertised to return on July 4, he was promoting his reality show American Grit. During a Twitter Q & A session, someone asked if he would like to work with Roman Reigns. The response:
It's his yard...I'd like to prove that wrong https://t.co/38SwMejQUJ
— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 25, 2017
Well, then.
Fast forward a few weeks to Battleground, the SmackDown brand’s July pay per view. Cena took on Rusev in a Flag Match in front of a usually hostile Philadelphia crowd. But The Big Dog thought the building was a little quiet (and Roman knows a thing or two about Philly crowds). This led to a back and forth on Twitter between Reigns and Cena that all but screams THESE TWO ARE HAVING A MATCH IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
The long held belief among fans is that at some point in the near future, Roman Reigns will defeat John Cena in a big match as a passing of the torch. Reigns is clearly being prepped to be the next big name in WWE. Beating Cena would immediately (in theory) legitimize his claim to that position. Whether that match happens at Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, or even WrestleMania, it’s going to happen. It’s also the kind of match that would benefit from a long build to really sell the enormity of the situation.
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Who do you think Cena will feud with if he jumps to Raw?