John Cena’s plans for WrestleMania 39 have been the subject of heavy speculation in recent weeks. Since news broke of him potentially being freed for a spot on the show’s show, a number of potential opponents have been put forward. From Logan Paul to Austin Theory to Gunther, everyone wants a piece of Cena.
Neither WWE nor the sixteen-time World Champion himself has given any indication of what lies ahead for him. The Sensation Leader is a megastar, so any match with him in the Showcase of Immortals will be one to watch. However, some potential conflicts certainly aren’t fit for a John Cena match on the biggest stage.
Here are 5 WWE Superstars who should not face the champion at WrestleMania 39.
#5: L.A. Night
L.A. Knight was one of the WWE Superstars who started a WrestleMania feud with John Cena on Twitter. The SmackDown megastar is one of the main mic workers in the company today. Thus, fans naturally got excited about a potential promo fight between him and Cena, one of the greatest promo deliverers in the history of the company.
While the battle of promos will undoubtedly be entertaining and the match sure to be incredible, there hasn’t been enough storyline between the two. Compared to facing Gunther on his way to becoming a Grand Slam champion, passing the torch for theory or dream bouts against the likes of Stone Cold, facing Knight isn’t quite as epic. We would have loved to see this clash, but there are better options on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
#4: Scottish warrior Drew McIntyre is also in favor of the sensational leader
The Scottish warrior is on the same side as the Senate leader
Drew McIntyre is arguably the biggest babyface in WWE today. The Scottish warrior has been one of the most beloved members of the roster since turning face in 2019, having won two world titles since then. He’s previously mentioned the WrestleMania face-off against John Cena as one of his dream matches in interviews, but it may not be ideal for the Hollywood version of The Show of Shows.
McIntyre and Cena are both huge stars and major performers, but they shouldn’t be feuding. For one, they are both babyfaces, so it will be confusing for the fans to choose one. McIntyre’s heel turn would solve this dilemma, but hurt the company in the long run, which is currently desperately short of top-level babyfaces.
#3: Almost every episode of WWE has featured a feud between the two biggest rivals
Two great rivals have clashed on almost every stage in WWE
Edge is arguably the biggest rival of John Cena’s WWE career. The Rated-R Superstar and The Sensation Leader feuded from 2005 to 2009, taking each other to the extreme multiple times on every platform. Fans have expressed their wish to see him do one last dance before hanging up his boots.
Edge vs. Cena Ruthless Aggression is the epitome of a fan service match targeting fans’ childhood memories. However, given that Edge has said he may retire in 2023, and Cena has some precious WWE run left in him, will this be the best use of both men at WrestleMania 39? We hardly think so.
The impromptu one-off encounter on The Ultimate Opportunist’s Farewell Tour would achieve the same effect in a far more efficient way.
#2: The Rock
A decade ago today, The Rock vs. John Cena ‘Once in a Lifetime’ dream match took place.
Biggest @WWE PPV match ever with over 1,217,000 PPV buys.
The Rock and John Cena are two of the biggest WWE-bred Hollywood stars who have not yet retired from in-ring competition. The two megastars have clashed in the ring twice, main-eventing back-to-back WrestleManias in 2012 and 2013. Headlining the Tinseltown version of Show of Shows would be a huge box office story on top of settling their rivalry. Whoever stands on 1 piece wins.
However, this would neither advance each individual’s career nor have any effect on the product other than boosting ratings for the event. Both the veterans have more compelling stories to tell as well as the younger stars which will lead them to a better match against each other.
#1: Cody RhodesWWE pillar John Cena and AEW founder Cody Rhodes
WWE pillar John Cena and AEW founder Cody Rhodes
Imagine Cody Rhodes and John Cena facing off at WrestleMania. One of the biggest forces behind Mr. WWE vs AEW. The man who had been stationed at the helm of the Stamford-based empire for the past 15 years was coming up against someone who had to let go and prove himself before returning to the fold.
This would be an epic encounter on many levels, but like Drew McIntyre, it would require a heel turn from The American Nightmare. chest is unlikely to turn heel at this point in his career, and Rhodes turning while his babyface momentum is at an all-time high would be risky. Any villainous turn for the latter should only be executed after he has achieved his goal of winning the WWE Championship in honor of his legendary father.
Both men need to face a heel at WrestleMania 39, and neither man is likely to turn to make that happen.