With WWE WrestleMania 34 getting closer and closer, it’s time to start speculating who John Cena’s opponent will be
Even though John Cena is no longer a full-time WWE talent, his superstar aura is undeniable.
Whenever he’s away from the ring for a long time, the energy he creates upon his return is unparalleled. And while some fans may still opt to chant “Cena sucks,” it’s hard to argue the fact that Cena’s improved inside the ring at a rate very few could’ve imagined.
He went from having a consistent “five moves of doom,” to being one of the most skilled in-ring performers in the industry. He’s implemented a Code Red, Springboard Stunner and even a Hurricanrana into his repertoire.
His recent programs with the likes of AJ Styles and The Miz, and to a lesser extent Baron Corbin, have been a reminder of how good Cena is, both in the ring and on the mic.
Despite that, we haven’t seen Cena compete in a singles match at WrestleMania since WrestleMania 31. It’s a shame, because WrestleMania doesn’t feel the same without Cena’s presence inside the ring.
We’re overdue for another classic Cena match at ‘Mania, so it’s time to start wondering who Cena may work with come spring. With the New Era flushed with premiere talent, there’s a good chance we could be in store for one of Cena’s best matches to date.
Credit: WWE.com
Randy Orton
I can guarantee a majority of people reading this are groaning and rolling their eyes. Yes, this match has taken place a whole host of times.
According to Cagematch.net, Cena and Orton have clashed in some variety 80 times during their respective careers. That’s a lot of Cena-Orton matches.
WWE seems to believe Cena vs. Orton is this generation’s Stone Cold vs. The Rock. While the former rivalry isn’t on the same level as the Attitude Era’s, John Cena vs. Randy Orton is still a marquee feud.
There’s so much history engrained, which makes telling a story easy. From Orton punting Cena’s father in the head, to Cena making Orton say “I quit,” to Orton beating Cena to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, there’s a lot of layers to this feud.
Whether you like it or not, Cena and Orton are two of this generation’s greatest superstars. They’ve been a staple of WWE television since 2003, and continue to produce quality matches.
The build to this match could be centered on the two wanting to see who’s the better man. It doesn’t have to be too complicated, as the history is already in place.
The one thing their rivalry hasn’t had was a stage as large as WrestleMania. Having them square off one more time would be a very apropos conclusion to their on-again-off-again feud.
Credit: WWE.com
Braun Strowman
If the WWE wants to solidify Strowman as a monster heel, having him topple Cena at WrestleMania would be invaluable.
Over the past five years, Cena’s gone over young heels at the Showcase of the Immortals. Bray Wyatt and Rusev both fell at the hands of Cena, which ultimately halted their development.
Making Strowman able to overcome WWE’s Superman would buck a trend, and would make Strowman a bonafide superstar in the process.
The clash between these two would be a phenomenal showcase as well. Cena possesses history of working well against behemoths. He’s battled the Great Khali, Umaga, Mark Henry and the Big Show at some point in time. Because of that, Cena knows how to operate when in the ring with monsters.
The build to this match could be Cena facing his toughest test to date. It could feature a story of Cena second-guessing himself, wondering if he still has what it takes. Earlier this year, Strowman left Cena decimated, so there’s some history there as well.
It would be really interesting to see this feud kick off at the Royal Rumble. Strowman could get eliminated by Cena, and then re-enter the ring in a fit of rage to toss Cena over the top.
Credit: WWE.com
Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe vs. John Cena would be a dream match for a variety of reasons.
Both men represent WWE and TNA, respectively. While Cena rose to the top in the world Vince McMahon created, Joe dominated competition for Jeff Jarrett’s company. During that time, the thought of a potential Joe vs. Cena match was only wishful thinking, and nothing more than that.
But with Joe now making waves in the company, the dream match is a significant reality.
And while the aforementioned Strowman would certainly warrant a more-serious Cena, Joe may be able to bring out the absolute best in Cena. Joe’s work on the mic is impeccable, and he would likely be able to hold his own in a battle of barbs.
A buildup to a Joe-Cena match would be an all-out war. And out of all the names on this list, the match between Joe and Cena would arguably be the most compelling. They can both convincingly hold their own in a striking contest, as well as a grappling showcase.
This match would give Joe the much-needed, high-profile feud he’s needed since his one-off against Brock Lesnar. If given the appropriate amount of time, this could be one of the greatest matches of all time.
Credit: WWE.com
Finn Bálor
In many ways, this would be the Internet Wrestling Community vs. the WWE’s casual fans.
Bálor represents the new wave of superstars. He’s not the biggest competitor, but his ability between the ropes makes people get behind him. If this were 1992, though, there’s a large chance he wouldn’t have a spot on the card.
He’s what the IWC clamor for.
Cena is the quintessential professional wrestler. He’s a Vince McMahon Frankenstein-esque creation come to life. His enormous physique and superstar aura are reasons people have likened him to a modern-day Hulk Hogan.
He’s what the IWC can’t stand.
Seeing the two styles clash would make for intriguing television. The only issue would be the difference in size. However, the two are so talented they could overcome that caveat with very little trouble.
A Bálor victory at a stage as large as WrestleMania would further emphasis the idea that the WWE is no longer a place where only giants can succeed. Bálor potentially going over would be the proverbial passing of the torch from the old guard to the New Era.
And of course, we would be given the treat of seeing Bálor’s “Demon” persona in its most meaningful match to date.
Sami Zayn
Zayn’s recent heel turn and alliance with former arch nemesis Kevin Owens has breathed new life into his character. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what Zayn’s character was. He was a positive, go-lucky babyface who liked ska, and that was about all I gathered.
But his new heel persona is outstanding. He’s cranked his personality up to a 12, and it’s paying big dividends. Now all he needs is a marquee win.
That could very well be against Cena at WrestleMania.
The storyline here could be about how Zayn used to admire Cena. He can talk about how when he debuted on Raw in Montreal, he was so excited to compete against a competitor like Cena. But then he suffered an injury, and Cena condescendingly raised Zayn’s arm after the match.
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Cena can bring up Zayn’s lack of intestinal fortitude, and how when things got tough, Zayn took the easy way out. If need be, Owens could also be interjected into this story in some manner to give it some extra juice.
And plus, a victory for Zayn would catapult him into unprecedented stratosphere. Additionally, having a win over Cena would allow Zayn to gloat, which could eventually play into a split between him and Kevin Owens.