A prominent WWE Hall of Famer disclosed that an injury halted plans for a potential rivalry with John Cena in 2009. Across his career spanning more than two decades, John Cena engaged in memorable feuds with many of WWE’s top stars, but by that year, he sought fresh adversaries after multiple clashes with the likes of Randy Orton, Triple H, Big Show, and Edge.
Matt Hardy, known for his fierce heel turn against his brother Jeff Hardy in 2009, emerged as a leading antagonist in WWE during that period. The brothers had a series of intense matches, including one at WrestleMania 25, and Matt revealed on his podcast, Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, that discussions existed about him entering a feud with Cena following his run as a villain opposite Jeff.
“You know, there was actually talk — if I hadn’t have gotten hurt after my thing with Jeff whenever I broke my hand, and I also had to have a surgery because my abdominal wall ripped and I was hurt. And I was obviously going to be out for a while. There was a point where Vince (McMahon) had mentioned that maybe I work with John Cena after I did the heel run with Jeff. Because he liked a lot of the stuff that I was doing at that time. And then Jeff, his injury. He had that restless leg syndrome at this time. I was out for a while, and then by the time I came back, he knew Jeff was going to leave at the end of his deal, because he was going to take some time off. And he ended up bringing me back, and they turned me babyface again. But there was talk if I had been healthy going through that program with Jeff and we got through it, and I was a heel and had heat, that I could work with Cena. Which I would have loved, and that would have been fun to do. Because I worked with him back in the day, you know, when he first started, but it would have been fun to work with him on a much bigger level.”
Hardy explained that breaking his hand and a surgery for a ripped abdominal wall required time away, causing the original storylines with both brothers to shift. By the time he returned, WWE knew Jeff Hardy would be departing temporarily, and Matt Hardy was brought back as a fan favorite, ending the possibility of pursuing the planned feud with Cena.
Matt Hardy’s Vision of a Rivalry With John Cena
Reflecting on how a feud with Cena might have unfolded, Matt Hardy noted their shared history from early in Cena’s career before he rose to main event status in 2005. Hardy imagined crafting a storyline based on personal grievances, jealousy, and past alliances to add depth to their rivalry.
“Once I went past Jeff and I kind of kept talking about being the black cloud over his head, I would obviously tried to change my direction and kind of what my trajectory was for what I was doing. And I don’t know, maybe I would have even leaned in to some of our history back in the day about, ‘Hey, he’s become such a big star.’ And I was one of the guys who helped work with him in the very beginning. And you know, ‘They trusted me to work with you and to team with you. And after all that I did for you, you never tried to help me later on. You just said, ‘To hell with you.” You know, maybe something like that. I felt like the being jealous of Jeff, maybe even being jealous of John, I could have came at it from a different angle or something, because that, that routine worked pretty good at that time.”
Hardy pictured portraying a “black cloud” figure haunting Cena, potentially mixing feelings of envy and betrayal drawn from their shared past experiences and Hardy’s history as a key figure in Cena’s early career. This personal storytelling, he suggested, would have made the feud compelling.
Recent Careers of John Cena and Matt Hardy
John Cena officially retired as an active WWE wrestler on December 13th following a loss to Gunther. Meanwhile, Matt Hardy remains active in wrestling alongside Jeff Hardy, both retaining stature as significant personalities on the TNA roster. Their ongoing presence in professional wrestling continuously reminds fans of their impactful legacies.
Additional WWE Updates and News
Beyond this storyline, WWE continues to build toward key events like Elimination Chamber, intensifying the buildup for WrestleMania. As excitement grows, WWE has released schedules for when qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber will occur, increasing anticipation among fans.
In other major news, AJ Styles, who retired recently at WWE Royal Rumble, is reportedly being offered a significant contract by AEW. His future outside of the ring remains a point of speculation within wrestling circles.
The Rock’s daughter, Ava, who joined WWE in 2020, recently rose to prominence as NXT’s general manager in 2024. Her leadership role signals WWE’s ongoing interest in legacy and family connections within the organization.
A major WWE star has made a notable return to RAW after an eight-month absence, drawing attention back to the red brand. This comeback adds fresh momentum to WWE programming during a crucial phase of its calendar.
Former WWE talent has claimed a title in their first match with AEW, showcasing how wrestlers continue to transition between promotions and impact new audiences.
Liv Morgan has openly confessed to being in love with a fellow WWE star during a recent Q&A session with fans, sharing personal details that reveal deeper dimensions beyond her in-ring persona.
Furthermore, a behind-the-scenes conversation between WWE Hall of Famers unveiled a surprising rule related to the first-ever women’s Steel Cage Match in WWE history, illustrating how match stipulations evolve over time.
There is also speculation about AJ Styles’ future within WWE following his in-ring retirement, with insiders tipping toward an unexpected new role for the veteran star.
The Enduring Impact of What Could Have Been
The halted feud between Matt Hardy and John Cena serves as a reminder of how unforeseen events like injuries can significantly change the storytelling landscape in professional wrestling. Cena’s vast list of rivalries forms an essential part of WWE’s history, and Hardy’s missed opportunity reflects the unpredictable nature of the business.
Had the matchup proceeded, it might have added a fascinating chapter to both men’s careers, blending personal narratives with high-profile competition. While Cena has stepped away from regular wrestling, the influential stories from his career continue to resonate with fans and wrestlers alike.
For Matt Hardy, his continued work in wrestling and reflections on what might have been underscore the complexity behind the scenes of WWE, where physical setbacks and timing often dictate the direction of major storylines. Going forward, WWE fans remain eager to see how current and future stars build upon the legacies of legends like John Cena and Matt Hardy.
