Rob Van Dam recently revealed that he was close to facing John Cena during Cena’s ongoing retirement tour, but the match was canceled due to injury issues. The WWE legend broke his heels during the negotiation phase, preventing the planned showdown from happening.
John Cena’s retirement tour has already brought back some familiar faces to the ring, including R-Truth, and Van Dam’s potential involvement would have added another layer of excitement for fans eager to see WWE veterans collide once more.
Van Dam’s Near-Match With John Cena Cut Short by Injury
Rob Van Dam spoke openly about the canceled match during an interview with TMZ Sports, explaining that talks with WWE were progressing well before his injury derailed the plans. He expressed strong interest from both sides but ultimately had to step back because he suffered broken heels.
“I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena and his retirement tour. I was talking to them [the WWE]. There was a lot of interest. Um, without giving away too many details, you know, we were probably going to do it. And then I broke my heels.” — Rob Van Dam, WWE Veteran
The matchup held significant potential because Rob Van Dam shares a unique history with Cena. Despite their overlapping careers and multiple title reigns, their one-on-one encounters inside the ring have been few but memorable.
Historical Clashes Between John Cena and Rob Van Dam
Though both celebrated WWE figures with several championship victories, John Cena and Rob Van Dam have surprisingly only officially competed against each other twice, both matches taking place in 2006. Their first encounter is particularly remembered by fans due to its dramatic atmosphere and outcome.
On June 11, 2006, Cena and Van Dam battled at ECW One Night Stand, with Cena defending his WWE Championship. The event took place at the Hammerstein Ballroom Arena in New York, where the passionate ECW crowd heavily favored Van Dam over Cena. The fans voiced their displeasure towards Cena by rejecting his merchandise and continuously heckling him throughout the match.
Despite the hostile environment, the match’s climax was shaped by Edge’s interference. Edge attacked Cena with a helmeted spear, allowing Van Dam to secure a pinfall victory and win the WWE Championship.
The intense crowd reaction and unexpected interference made this match a defining moment in both wrestlers’ careers, and it remains a fan favorite.
A second match between the two occurred on the June 26 episode of Raw, with Van Dam now holding the WWE Championship. This match also ended without a clear winner as Edge once again disrupted proceedings, attacking both men. Due to a mix of rules between Raw and ECW formats, the bout was declared a no-contest, and Van Dam retained his title.
In addition to their singles matches, Cena and Van Dam also faced each other in a triple-threat contest involving Edge. In that bout, Edge emerged victoriously by defeating Van Dam to claim the WWE Championship.
Despite these confrontations, John Cena has yet to claim a clean victory over Rob Van Dam in a one-on-one match, underscoring the significance that a scheduled match on Cena’s retirement tour could have held.
Potential for Other WWE Veterans to Join Cena’s Retirement Tour
While Rob Van Dam’s participation did not materialize, John Cena’s retirement tour has already seen the return of other WWE veterans, such as R-Truth. Van Dam’s revelations about his near-collision with Cena have led fans to speculate about additional returns being in the works.
Negotiations involving WWE veterans like Van Dam are usually confidential, but given the interest shown, it is plausible that other iconic wrestlers might be considered for Cena’s farewell run. One name often mentioned by fans and insiders is Chris Jericho, who is rumored to be planning a WWE comeback after his stint with AEW.
At this time, no official announcements have confirmed additional veteran participation against John Cena. However, the wrestling community remains hopeful that more legendary matchups could take place before Cena officially retires.
As Cena’s retirement tour progresses, fans eagerly watch for new matchups and unexpected returns, making each update significant for those who follow WWE history and its evolving storylines.
