All good things come to an end, and over the weekend, WWE icon John Cena revealed that 2025 will be his final year as an active wrestler. With that in mind, we look at 12 matches we need to see the GOAT compete in next year, including a rematch with legendary rival CM Punk.
12. Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy
Why Bo? Because we can’t get Cena and Bray Wyatt. The best we got between John and the late Bray Wyatt was a unique Firefly Funhouse match during the Performance Center COVID WrestleMania. With the Wyatt Sicks now in play, and Dallas/Uncle Howdy emerging as a force to be reckoned with, this one seems like an easy call to make too.
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11. Chad Gable
Gable is a rising star, somewhere between mid and upper tier. A good match with John Cena, before this retirement, can help set him up for that upper tier. And as with Bron, Master Gable might need to be taught a lesson in respect.
10. Carmelo Hayes
A rare one on the list, Hayes and Cena do have a touch of history to work off of. Cena appeared at the so-called Biggest NXT Show Of All Time. During that time, Cena and Trick did chat a bit, with and without Carmelo. And, if you follow the timeline, it was after that “talk” where Trick Williams really hit the stratosphere. Was he on the rise before? Yes. Did Cena have anything to do with any of it? Probably not. But for a storyline reason, ‘Melo can hate John because of that, can’t he?
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9. Gunther
I don’t think Gunther would approach GOAT status, but by the time he calls it a career, who knows? He is already one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time-probably the greatest. So why not have one dance with someone many consider to be the true GOAT of WWE?
8. Bron Breakker
This one is super easy. Most of the ones here will be, honestly. Breakker is the next generation of WWE Superstars. As some have said, if you were constructing a new-age talent from the ground up, he very well could be the prototype (no pun intended, given Cena’s past). Bron is a brash younger talent. Perhaps Cena needs to teach him about respect.
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7. CM Punk
Yes, I know I went over my five rematches. But this one specifically stems from the Money In The Bank post-show presser. Punk and Cena have done great work as rivals and peers. I presumed this would not get revisited because, well, Punk has his hands full right now. But, Punk said it in his segment of the presser-the two are in a sense married to one another, and he wants to do it one more time. And more importantly, he has apparently expressed that sentiment to Cena backstage in Toronto.
6. Kevin Owens
To this day, I still remember Owens debuting on RAW to take part in John Cena’s United States Championship open challenge. Heck of a debut, so why not do it one more time? Plus, we know Cena cannot take on Austin, but Owens does a wicked stunner, so why not him as a backup plan.
5. Edge
This one, barring some stunning development, will not happen. Edge isn’t Edge anymore, because Edge left WWE. But, this has to at least be a touch of a wish list, and this is the dream big item. Edge and Cena did a lot of classic matches over the years, so it would be only right to have one more. Just, won’t happen.
4. Brock Lesnar
This one currently seems unlikely, since Brock Lesnar is waiting out the legal entanglements of the Vince McMahon lawsuits. If he is cleared of any illegalities, it seems current WWE leadership would welcome him back. Lesnar has certainly had Cena’s number. Could John go one more time and get a bit of revenge?
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3. Solo Sikoa
Not the biggest rival, since there is barely a history here. But, Sikoa did give him another loss on his losing streak. While Cena came down to avenge Solo at WrestleMania 40, I wouldn’t mind seeing Cena get a measure of one on one revenge.
2. Randy Orton
I remember a time when WWE did not have the roster depth that it enjoys today. Or, that WWE didn’t mix it up and give unproven talent a chance. Whatever the reasoning, there was a time when we got this pairing what seemed like a lot. Maybe so many times that at the time, fans got a bit tired of seeing it. But they were-and are-two of the best of their generation. Now, knowing it would or could be the last time for them? I want it.
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1. The Rock
This one is an easy one. The two men have long been pillars of WWE. Both are on the back side of their careers. And the seeds were sort of, kind of, planted in Philadelphia for this one. The two shared an awesome moment during WrestleMania 40’s big night 2 main event. The Final Boss did get the better of Cena during that exchange.
As much as WWE might be thinking of Reigns-Rock in Las Vegas, answer me this. Would Cena versus Rock not be as big, or bigger? Especially if you know going in that this one is it, never again to be seen? I have to think it’s on the table.