In the high-octane world of professional wrestling, nothing makes waves like a comeback. No stranger to this reality is none other than John Cena, who markedly returned to WWE television on the September 1, 2023 episode of SmackDown after his last appearance at WrestleMania 39. Cena’s return has not only been a spectacle to witness, but a major boost to WWE’s weekly attendance.
Since coming back into the wrestling fold, Cena has hit the canvas running. He has teamed up with Seth Rollins to wrestle against Imperium Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser in the revered WWE Superstar Spectacle in India. The former WWE champ wasn’t done, however. Quick to switch gears, he allied himself with LA Knight for a compelling clash against The Bloodline – Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa at WWE Fastlane.
John Cena isn’t one to relish in downtime and this trait of his was clear during the October 10 episode of NXT. Cena reflected on his recent experiences, referring to them as “something special,” thus underscoring his commitment to the craft that helped him become a household name. His heightened presence has also made him a staple in dark matches on WWE SmackDown.
These regular Friday night sparring sessions have greatly contributed to increasing viewers, according to prominent wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer. The Wrestling Observer Radio host stated, “Since he (Cena) came back, they’ve had over 10,000 every single week on Friday night… he is a mover, he is a difference maker.”
Cena’s exhibition matches have not been limited by any means. So far, he’s faced off against Montez Ford and Dominik Mysterio in dark singles matches at SmackDown shows. In high-stakes multi-man action, he’s collaborated with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and LA Knight to square off against two formidable teams: The Bloodline – Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, and The Judgment Day – Domink Mysterio & Finn Balor.
Amid his thriving schedule, Cena was reported to face Solo Sikoa at WWE Crown Jewel on November 4. His continuing exertion in the ring is indicative of his well-earned credentials: a thirteenth-time WWE Champion, three-time World Heavyweight Champion, five-time WWE United States Champion, and two-time reigns as both WWE Tag Team and World Tag Team Champion.
Tales of Cena’s influence echo throughout the WWE community, permeating beyond the ring itself. The underpinnings of John Cena’s story, like many others in the world of wrestling, can be found in WrestleTalk’s newly released book, Wrestling Unmasked. This masterly compilation delves into the untold stories of wrestling, shedding light on the drama, politics and what truly goes on behind the scenes.
