The highly anticipated Drew McIntyre John Cena match, originally scheduled for last year, never came to fruition, leaving fans and the wrestlers themselves disappointed. McIntyre shared his thoughts about the canceled bout during a conversation with Shakiel Mahjouri from SHAK Wrestling at the WWE 2K26 event.
McIntyre Reflects on the Lost Opportunity
McIntyre expressed frustration over the decision to cancel the match, emphasizing his desire to compete against one of the best.
“I mean, I can’t change the creative direction,”
he explained.
“I talked about getting that match with Cena, getting in a situation on the microphone with Cena, just to prove what I’m capable of. Because I want to compete with the best, and he is, or was, the best on the microphone.”
Reasons Behind the Change in Opponent
The match was initially set to happen at Crown Jewel in Australia last October. However, after John Cena posted on X asking fans if they wanted to see him wrestle AJ Styles, the WWE pivoted, giving Styles the spot instead. Cena later revealed that switching to Styles was meant to deliver “a feel-good moment” for the crowd.
McIntyre responded to Cena’s explanation by saying,
“I heard the quote. I heard what John said. Whatever people weren’t feeling what was going on, they decided to pivot. He outright asked, ‘Do you want AJ?’ And the match was incredible. So, I could sit there and go, ‘Damn, what if?’ Or, ‘What if he Tweeted my name?’ But the reality is, he’s retired and I’m World Champion, so I think it worked out just fine for Drew McIntyre.”
McIntyre’s Approach to the Situation
Despite the disappointment, McIntyre stressed that he accepted the decision and understood there was no way to force the match.
“I keep my head down and I keep working, no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say ‘Just Tweet my name,’”
he remarked.
Previous Encounters Between McIntyre and Cena
Although McIntyre and John Cena have never faced off in a one-on-one match, they have crossed paths multiple times in tag team and multi-person matches. Most recently in 2025, they were both part of contests at the Elimination Chamber, Royal Rumble, and during the August 8 SmackDown episode, where Cena and Cody Rhodes defeated McIntyre and Logan Paul.
Implications for Future WWE Storylines
While the Drew McIntyre John Cena match remains a what-if moment in WWE history, McIntyre’s comments show his commitment to proving himself as a top competitor despite setbacks. With Cena retired and McIntyre holding the World Champion title, the possibility of a singles match between the two has significantly diminished. Fans may now look forward to fresh rivalries and the evolving WWE landscape as McIntyre continues his championship reign.
I do not choose my opponents, but I (even through tough times) ALWAYS listen to the fans.@AJStylesOrg are you listening?
Better yet @TripleH ….. are YOU listening???#CenaVsStyles https://t.co/BNspbeUxXd— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 23, 2025
