A well-known WWE legend was reportedly close to making a comeback in 2024 for one last contest against John Cena. The veteran wrestler, currently on his farewell tour, has already squared off with several of his classic opponents. Fans were poised to witness one more iconic match featuring the leader of The Cenation.
John Cena previously faced Randy Orton at Backlash and later battled CM Punk at Night of Champions. However, another significant figure from Cena’s career nearly joined the lineup for a final showdown.
Rob Van Dam Reveals Talks About Final Match with Cena
Rob Van Dam, a former WWE Champion, confirmed in an interview with TMZ Sports that he was in discussions to return for a match with Cena. He explained that there was strong mutual interest and the match was likely to happen until an unfortunate injury intervened.
“I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena on his retirement tour. I was talking to them. There was a lot of interest. Without giving away too many details, you know, we were probably going to do it. And then I broke my heels,” he said.
Van Dam, who is 54 years old, suffered a double heel fracture in April and has been undergoing recovery since then. Known by the nickname The Whole F’N Show, he has a long history with Cena, particularly during their 2006 feud in WWE’s ECW brand.
Historic Rivalry Highlighted by Memorable WWE Championship Win
Rob Van Dam’s rivalry with John Cena was a key storyline when ECW relaunched under WWE’s banner. After being drafted to the ECW brand, Van Dam cashed in his Money in the Bank contract at the ECW One Night Stand event to challenge Cena for the WWE Championship. With interference from Edge, Van Dam landed his signature Five-Star Frog Splash to claim the title from Cena, marking a memorable moment in both wrestlers’ careers.
Upcoming Encounter: Cena versus Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza
John Cena recently appeared for the last time as an active wrestler on SmackDown, engaging in a U.S. Championship match against Sami Zayn. The bout was cut short when Brock Lesnar interrupted, assaulting both competitors and delivering a stern warning to Cena.
The Beast Incarnate declared he would face Cena at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, which WWE quickly announced as an official match. Lesnar had made a surprise return at SummerSlam the previous month by attacking Cena following Cena’s bout with Cody Rhodes, adding further tension to their upcoming rivalry.
What This Means for John Cena’s Retirement Tour and WWE
Rob Van Dam’s missed opportunity to reunite with John Cena underscores the unpredictability of wrestling comebacks and the physical toll on athletes. While Van Dam’s injury prevented what could have been a memorable final match, Cena’s retirement tour continues to feature high-profile adversaries, such as Lesnar.
This ongoing series of final matches celebrates Cena’s storied WWE career, while also setting the stage for future storylines involving some of WWE’s biggest names. Fans can anticipate heightened excitement leading into Wrestlepalooza and beyond as Cena approaches the conclusion of his in-ring tenure.
