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WWE: 5 potential opponents for John Cena at WrestleMania 36

By Ryan Anderson

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - APRIL 1: Dwayne ''The Rock'' Johnson and John Cena in action during WrestleMania XXVIII at Sun Life Stadium on April 1, 2012 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - APRIL 1: Dwayne ''The Rock'' Johnson and John Cena in action during WrestleMania XXVIII at Sun Life Stadium on April 1, 2012 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /
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CM Punk

Two days ago, before he returned to WWE TV for FOX’s WWE Backstage, this would have been an unrealistic opponent for Cena’s future. None of us know what the future holds for CM Punk, as far as if he’ll strictly remain a backstage analyst or if he will make an in-ring return, but if he does, a match with John Cena could be one of the matches that fans want to see at WrestleMania 36.

During their time in WWE, John Cena and CM Punk had a rivalry for the ages. Neither man, at this point in their career, need a 30-minute mat classic in order to get fans invested. Both characters are so universally respected by fans and vocally strong that the promos alone would make this the most interesting match at WrestleMania 36.

Punk is, arguably, the most popular male WWE wrestler since Stone Cold Steve Austin. Now with Punk returning after a six year absence, the excitement around whatever Punk does is higher than ever before.

Cena was one of the wrestlers that helped to establish Punk as a main eventer during the Summer of Punk.

Kevin Owens

There is the old cliché; you never get a second chance to make a first impression. When he debuted on Monday Night RAW in 2015, Kevin Owens made a tremendous first impression. John Cena was the man to help Owens look like a million bucks. The two had great promos on RAW. These promos gave Owens the instant credibility with viewers who may not have been familiar with his work.

Fast forward to 2019, Kevin Owens is miscast as a fan favorite. His best work in WWE was when he is a villain. John Cena is more beloved by the WWE Universe than ever before. That could be fans realizing the body of work that Cena produced, it could be that absence makes the heart grow fonder, or fans always desire what they don’t have.

Whatever the reason may be, this provides Owens with a perfect opportunity to revert back to a villain at the Cena’s expense. This can lead to a match where Owens becomes obsessed with ending the career of Cena. Owens can drudge up old memories of when he first debuted on RAW. How he took out Cena to begin his career, and now he wants to end Cena’s career.  Cena knows how to enhance the devious traits of Owens.

Owens has been portrayed inconsistently for years now. The match at WrestleMania needs to be the WrestleMania moment for Owens.  A match with Cena provides Owens with the career launching moment that so far has escaped him.