John Cena’s WWE career appears to be approaching its final chapter, with his upcoming match against AJ Styles officially set for the Crown Jewel event in Perth. However, Cena has dropped hints suggesting that his John Cena next match might involve an unexpected opponent, possibly a figure linked to his past.
Known for the The Last Time is Now farewell tour, Cena’s current run has garnered mixed reactions from fans, who have both criticized and praised his recent shift to a villainous role. Despite some confusion over Cena’s sudden change of character shortly before SummerSlam, this transition has led to several memorable in-ring encounters.
Unique Moves and Rivalries Highlight Cena’s Farewell Year
Throughout the farewell tour, Cena has been revisiting his career by adopting signature maneuvers previously used by some of his former adversaries. These have included striking techniques like CM Punk’s Go To Sleep (GTS), Adam Copeland’s Spear, Baron Corbin’s End of Days, and even submission holds such as Kurt Angle’s Ankle Lock and Angle Slam.
His final wrestling year feels like a tribute both to the fans and to the wrestling figures who helped shape his legacy. Recently, intrigue has grown after Cena’s apparent reference to another notable competitor while appearing on NXT. During an invasion by TNA Wrestling, when Trick Williams defended the TNA World Title against NXT Champion Oba Femi, Matt Cardona—known as the Indie God—was seen in the audience, generating a strong fan reaction.
Cena’s Connection with Matt Cardona Revives Past WWE Storylines
Cena’s interaction with Matt Cardona, formerly Zack Ryder, isn’t new. Their past storyline on WWE television in late 2011 portrayed Cena aligning with Cardona as Ryder was enjoying a peak period, holding the United States Championship and sharing the spotlight with stars like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk.
This storyline further involved a romantic subplot featuring Eve Torres, during which tensions escalated when Kane targeted Cardona, resulting in him losing the United States Title due to a kayfabe neck injury inflicted by Kane. The attacks forced Ryder into a neck brace and wheelchair, with a key moment occurring when Cena saved Eve from Kane, leading to a kiss that damaged Cardona’s standing in the storyline.
If Matt Cardona is indeed gearing up for a match with John Cena, time may be running short as Cena’s farewell tour continues.
Signs Point to Potential Match with Cardona or Continued Respect
The presence of Matt Cardona at the recent NXT event did not go unnoticed, especially when Cena posted a photo of Cardona on his Instagram, suggesting either respect or teasing a future confrontation. Cena’s previous references to Cardona, Claudio Castagnoli, and Nic Nemeth in his recent promos add fuel to speculation about who his next opponent might be.
As John Cena’s WWE run winds down, any surprise match could serve as a significant moment for fans and the wrestlers involved, possibly offering one last chance to revisit past rivalries or honor rising stars.
“The former Zack Ryder was shown in the stands, prepping for the attack, and received a loud reaction from fans in attendance.” – John Cena
