WrestleMania revenge, major champion - 5 WWE stars John Cena could target at Royal Rumble 2025

WWE star John Cena announced earlier this week that he would be competing in the Men's Royal Rumble match in 2025. The Cenation Leader made a surprise appearance at Money in the Bank 2024 and shared that he would be retiring from the ring next year.

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE's biggest events of the year. The winners of the Men's and Women's Royal Rumble Matches go on to challenge for a major title at WrestleMania.

Listed below are five WWE stars John Cena could target at Royal Rumble 2025.

#5. John Cena could call out Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes

WWE Crown Jewel - Source: Getty

Cody Rhodes is the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion and will likely not be competing in the Men's Royal Rumble Match next year. The American Nightmare has won the match the past two years in a row but would not have a reason to enter the Men's Royal Rumble as he is the champion.

John Cena could emerge victorious in the Men's Royal Rumble Match and call out Cody Rhodes following the win. The promotion could then begin to build toward a dream match between Rhodes and Cena at WrestleMania 41 next year in Las Vegas.

#4. Cena may target Austin Theory in the Men's Royal Rumble

Austin Theory picked up the biggest victory of his career so far at WWE WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, California. The SmackDown star defeated John Cena to retain the United States Championship but failed to capitalize on the momentum.

Cena could get the last laugh during the Men's Royal Rumble Match next year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 47-year-old could eliminate Theory the moment he entered the match as a measure of revenge for losing to him at WrestleMania 39.

#3. The veteran could go after Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa picked up a monumental victory over John Cena at Crown Jewel 2023. The SmackDown star followed it up with another impressive win at Crown Jewel 2024, as he pinned Roman Reigns to earn The Bloodline a victory in a six-man tag team match at the premium live event in Saudi Arabia.

Cena made a surprise appearance during the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL. The legend hit Sikoa with an Attitude Adjustment through the commentary table. Cena could potentially target Sikoa once again at WWE Royal Rumble 2025 and eliminate the leader of The Bloodline.

#2. The legend may decide to target Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens has morphed into a monstrous heel in recent weeks on SmackDown. The Prizefighter hit Randy Orton with a Piledriver earlier this month on the blue brand and sent The Viper out of the arena in an ambulance.

Owens made his main roster debut on the May 18, 2015, episode of RAW and confronted John Cena during his United States Championship Open Challenge. The veteran was the reigning NXT Champion at the time and attacked Cena rather than accepting his challenge. Cena likely still remembers the incident close to a decade later and may want to eliminate Owens during the Men's Royal Rumble match next year.

#1. John Cena and CM Punk could tease a dream match during the Men's Royal Rumble in 2025

Monday Night RAW - Source: Getty

One of the most memorable moments of CM Punk's career was capturing the WWE Championship from John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011. The premium live event took place in Chicago, Illinois, and The Second City Saint got a tremendous reaction after winning the title.

Punk noted that he wanted to battle Cena one last time after it was revealed that he would be retiring from the ring next year. John Cena and CM Punk could have a confrontation during the Men's Royal Rumble match next year, leading to a final showdown between the two legends at WrestleMania 41.