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Last night at Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, John Cena announced that he will be retiring from WWE after over two decades of being with the company. He will now begin his retirement tour which will span across 2025.
He has given his all to the company and has become an icon to the fans. His great resumé tops all this off as he is tied for the most number of world title reigns of all time. Cena has also amassed several championship reigns across the years.
He has gotten his fair share of time sharing the ring with several icons in the industry, could he reunite with some of them, including those who are currently signed outside WWE?
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#1. John Cena has face-to-face encounter with Ric Flair before breaking his record
One of the achievements that fans want the icon to achieve before his retirement is to become the record holder for the most number of world title reigns. He is currently tied with Ric Flair, with 16 world title reigns.
In 2015, he was at 15 world title reigns, but just as he was about to become the world champion in a match with Seth Rollins, long-time talk show host Jon Stewart cost him the match. He revealed that he did so to preserve Flair's record, but the Hall of Famer himself said this was the wrong decision.
He ended up winning the WWE Championship in 2017, tying the record, and now he can break the record in his final run. Cena and Flair could meet in the ring for one final appearance before he goes for his 17th world championship. This could be an acknowledgement of the enormity of the achievement, with Flair giving his blessing for Cena to break the record.
Despite being signed to AEW, Ric Flair could opt out of the contract, or go for a one-time-only special appearance for this touching moment.
#2. He gets to share the ring with one of the most popular stars in the industry in Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is another star who is in his own retirement tour, although he has mentioned that this was only from his full-time career. With his contract set to expire in October this year, he may end up staying as a free agent, who can appear anywhere he wishes.
Following his final major run in AEW, he could emerge as someone who can have an one-off appearance before John Cena retires. The two have tagged alongside one another and shared the ring on multiple instances, including their bout for the WWE Championship at Summerslam 2013. This was the same night The Authority was formed, with Triple H costing Bryan his title that night.
Danielson and Cena could tag together for the final time, or they could share the ring one more time as two of this generation's most "over" stars, with the arena raining with 'Yes' chants and 'Cena sucks' chants.
#3. He adds to his many encounters with The Big Show
John Cena and The Big Show have had their fair share of encounters over the years. Both teaming up on the same side and great betrayals including The World's Largest Athlete turning his back on him during Survivor Series 2014 in a match with the future of the company on the line.
Paul Wight has been signed with AEW since 2021, and if he does not re-sign with the company, his contract could potentially end next year, seeing as most wrestling contracts have ranged from three to four years. While he is not in great wrestling condition, Wight could appear in WWE to have a final segment with Cena during his retirement tour.
Both superstars could have a face-to-face backstage or an in-ring segment, which would make for an interesting encounter before Cena's career comes to an end.
#4. John Cena guests on The Highlight Reel one final time
In 2005, John Cena made his RAW debut as the number one lottery pick for the brand that year. He made his appearance as he was featured on Chris Jericho's "The Highlight Reel."
The Learning Tree's contract with AEW will be until the end of 2025, and at this point, it remains to be seen if he decides to renew this. Should he make the decision not to, he could head to WWE and still have a chance to have a segment with John Cena before he retires.
Seeing as he was there during the multi-time world champion's debut on the brand, Jericho could have him as his guest during his final time on the show in a full-circle moment.
#5. He gets a chance to face off with one of ECW's finest in Rob Van Dam
One of the most iconic moments in WWE ECW's history was when Rob Van Dam captured the WWE Championship from John Cena at the One Night Stand show in 2006.
This was not their only encounter in the ring as over a decade, the two stars would continue to have matches against one another and be in several tag team matches alongside each other as well.
With RVD not being signed to any company currently, he could have a quick run in WWE and have one final match with John Cena. Seeing as the Hall of Famer is still in great physical condition, as seen during his recent matches on AEW, fans may get to see a great match between the two.
While this list may not be comprehensive, these stars all share a storied history with John Cena and the WWE Universe would be more than happy to be able to see them interact one last time.
