John Cena’s Greatest Matches: A Legacy of Endurance

At a SmackDown taping in 2016, I sat next to a youngster who was fully decked out in John Cena gear. With a perplexed look on his face, he asked his mother what the audience was chanting as they voiced their disapproval of the match in progress. “They’re saying Cena sucks,” his mother replied in a cautious whisper, which brought sadness to his eyes.

I could hear the tears in his voice as he asked, “Why don’t they like him?” His mother pulled him in for a hug, shielding him from the negativity being hurled at her son’s hero. It was heartbreaking to watch. It also, however, put into perspective how, despite all the jeers, people have a special kind of love for John Cena.

From Kurt Angle in 2002 to Gunther in 2025, John Cena has left an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of wrestling fans while also being one of the industry’s most polarizing figures. Nearly fifteen years as the face of WWE, Cena traveled a road where the trip itself became as much of the story as any victory earned or title won.

The star of the show is usually not booed out of the buildings he performs in, but that was the case during John Cena’s prime on the WWE mountain top. Eventually, the tide turned, with fan support split evenly. Ultimately, the “Let’s go Cena. Cena Sucks” narrative became universal praise and admiration for the pride of West Newbury, Massachusetts.

Generations of wrestling fans went from insisting John Cena turn heel to condemning the turn that occurred in Toronto. Cena gained the respect and support of wrestling fans who used to boo him, while the children who idolized Cena grew up and are now the loudest voices in the room. John Cena’s legacy isn’t about “You Can’t See Me” or “You Can’t Wrestle.”

John Cena’s legacy is endurance. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect all require one to endure.

”The Last Time is Now” tour’s final stop is Saturday, December 13th, in Washington D.C., for Saturday Night’s Main Event. As Cena’s swan song is upon us, it is only natural to reminisce about his greatest battles inside the squared circle. Many matches and moments come to mind, but let’s take a look at the 10 Best Matches of John Cena’s career.

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WrestleMania 43: The Controversial Move to Saudi Arabia

In 2027, WrestleMania 43 will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and everyone has something to say about it. WWE made the official announcement on Friday at a special press event in Las Vegas. However, PWInsider broke the news earlier in the week when they got wind of a press release written in Arabic that was pulled shortly after the Saudi government accidentally released it.

Joe Tessitore moderated the event and was joined by the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, Logan Paul, Seth Rollins, and Triple H, who touted WrestleMania’s global success over the last several years, and put over Turki Al-Sheikh, whom he called his dear friend, and brought out to the stage as he announced WrestleMania 43 as part of Riyadh Season in 2027.

A couple of WWE stars spoke glowingly of their experience in Saudi Arabia. Undertaker said fans who usually travel to see WrestleMania will be pleasantly surprised by the passion of Saudi wrestling fans and how nice the people are. Bianca Belair said she is impressed with how Saudi Arabia evolves more for women every time she goes there. Triple H said Saudi Arabia is a new hotbed for WWE.

Turki Al-Sheikh commented on WWE’s eight-year partnership with the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority. Turki also praised current WWE President Nick Khan for continuing “the legacy of Vince McMahon,” and said the record-breaking attendance at last year’s WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas influenced the decision to bring WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sheikh also acknowledged the press release his office accidentally released. He said the press release was published for two seconds before they took it down, and fans went crazy with excitement. Triple H closed out the event, stating, “This doesn’t happen without his excellency, Turki Al-Sheikh and Nick Khan,” and ended by saying WrestleMania 43 will have “a level of stardom and spectacle like you’ve never seen before.”

– Opinion Time

Well, folks, it’s official: WWE will hold its first WrestleMania outside of North America in Saudi Arabia. There are mixed reactions to this announcement. Some like it. Some hate it. Some have concerns. I can’t help but feel that this decision is somewhat unfair to British wrestling fans, as England has been campaigning for what seems like forever to host WrestleMania on its shores.

England is WWE’s second-largest fan base, and their passion for wrestling is well-documented. John Cena got fans even more excited about such a prospect when, at Money in the Bank in 2023, he made a strong pitch for WWE to hold WrestleMania in London, stating, “UK fans have earned the right.” The proclamation led many to believe such a landmark event was on the horizon.

After all, wrestling promotions don’t usually tease something like this unless it’s happening, right?

While WWE did not announce a date for WrestleMania 43, they did officially announce a date for the 2026 Royal Rumble, which will be held on January 31st and previously announced for Saudi Arabia. WON reported that WWE originally wanted to hold off on holding Saudi-helmed WrestleMania until 2028. However, Turki Al-Sheikh had the money to push it through.

WON also reported that holding the event in 2027 will coincide with Saudi Arabia’s 300th anniversary, celebrated annually on February 22, known as Founding Day. The money being thrown around for this event will make it the most money ever spent to put on a wrestling event. A good portion of the astronomical amount of money Turki Al-Sheikh is paying for the show will fund his penchant for having WWE bring in superstars from the past

The Rock is already rumored for the event, and he recently lost a lot of size and muscle, which means he will have under two years to get back into People’s Champion shape. The obvious opponents for Thebe Rock would be either Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes.

Goldberg had his retirement match in July. Perhaps, another Saudi payday might motivate him to work another match. Goldberg’s retirement was self-imposed, so it’s not as if WWE will have to find a creative loophole around a loser-leaves-town stipulation.

Sting said he knows he’ll never wrestle again after announcing his multiyear legends deal with AEW in 2024. What if that deal expires just in time for Turki Al-Sheikh to make an offer too large for Sting to refuse?

Stone Cold Steve Austin is a proud wrestler who wants to put on a good show instead of coasting on his name in a subpar performance. It explains why it took him 19 years to come out of retirement for a match with Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38.

Rumors have persisted that another match is on the horizon for the “Texas Rattlesnake.” A little under two years to prepare, and the biggest payday of his illustrious career could convince Austin to lace up the boots come WrestleMania 43.

Can anyone say Steve Austin vs. CM Punk?

John Cena is in the final leg of his retirement tour, with the finish line set for December 13, 2025. Cena spoke candidly on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast about the pain he deals with, stating that his skills have regressed due to how badly his body is beaten up.

While wrestlers always return eventually, pain changes everything. Cena is making bank with a flourishing Hollywood career, which is less painful than the grind of the squared circle, making the 17-time world champion less susceptible to the allure of a big in-ring payday.

The streets say Chris Jericho will finish with AEW at the end of the year and will return to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble. I don’t know if Triple H sees Jericho as a big star due to their tumultuous history behind the scenes. Sure, they got along later, but with Triple H handling the book, can Jericho truly trust “The Game?”

For all we know, Jericho will resign with AEW; however, it feels that the time of “Demo God” or “The Learning Tree” in the promotion has run its course. If financially viable for him personally, Jericho might want to hold off on a return until WrestleMania 2027. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and more time away could equal maximum return on the investment of “Y2J.”

Shawn Michaels has repeatedly stated that he wishes he had never come out of retirement for his match at Crown Jewel 2018, where he teamed up with Triple H against Undertaker and Kane. The match was a trainwreck, and many would love to have it burned from their memory.

Micheals is another wrestler who is proud of his work in the ring and will be nearly 62 years old when WrestleMania 43 rolls around. Will the allure of a multi-million dollar payday be too strong for HBK to turn away?

Undertaker, Kane, Ric Flair (Please, no), and any retired/older wrestler with a big name will have an opportunity to score one more big payday. Turki Al-Sheikh is nostalgic for the stars of yesteryear. Reportedly, Turki requested that WWE book Yokozuna and the Ultimate Warrior for the inaugural event in Saudi Arabia, 2018’s Greatest Royal Rumble. The request went unfulfilled on account of both men being dead.

Turki Al-Sheikh’s desire to see stars from the past indicates the lack of big stars WWE has created in nearly two decades. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes are the biggest stars in WWE’s contemporary landscape. Vince McMahon helmed Reigns’ ascension to the top of the card, and for most of Rhodes’ run to the top, which Triple H inherited.

Triple H has not yet developed a bona fide star from start to finish. He’s been WWE’s Chief Creative Officer in an uninterrupted capacity for only two years. There are rumors that Bron Breakker, Jacob Fatu, and Rhea Ripley are his top choices to elevate as main event attractions.

WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia was always going to happen. It was just a question of when. It probably would have happened sooner if not for the pandemic. Now, it’s a reality, and it’s conjuring a lot of bad feelings.

There are also many people who don’t care how their bread is buttered when it comes to WrestleMania offerings, and the majority of those who complain about the setting are going to watch it anyhow.

Still, feelings are understandable. Hopefully, WWE can create new marquee superstars between now and 2027 to avoid an over-reliance on the past and to set the table for the genre moving forward.

Begun, the Disney Era Has: WWE’s Future on ESPN

There was a time when the idea of WrestleMania airing on ESPN seemed ridiculous. A different television landscape, where cable is struggling and streaming is king, created a powerful tag team between the worldwide leaders in sports and sports entertainment.

ESPN will broadcast WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) starting in April 2026 with WrestleMania 42. The deal, announced by WWE and Disney, includes ten PLEs each year, featuring major events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank.

Reportedly, the deal is worth $1.6 billion over five years, or $320 million annually. WWE PLEs will air on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service, launching August 21 for $29.99 per month. The last PLE to air on Peacock in 2025 will be Survivor Series on November 29. Peacock will air the Royal Rumble in January 2026. It’s unclear if Peacock will air WWE’s February PLE, Elimination Chamber. NXT PLEs are excluded from the ESPN deal.

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Hulk Hogan’s Legacy is a Tale of Two Cities

My father called me to discuss Hulk Hogan’s passing. While he’s not a wrestling fan, he followed it on the periphery and knew Hogan was my guy growing up. We discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly.

My father is a religious person. While I’m not religious, I was surprisingly soothed by his wisdom, steeped in peace and faith.

Dad remarked on Hogan’s baptism from last year, and was happy to hear that he fully accepted Jesus Christ as his lord and savior. Given Hogan’s complicated history with the truth, I said it may be all for show to improve his image.

Without missing a beat, Dad said, while this might be true, he takes solace in believing Hogan’s spiritual journey is a righteous one. If it turns out to be a publicity stunt, then he needs more help than most and hopefully, through folly, he’s finally found God.

Hulk Hogan’s legacy is a tale of two cities.

On one hand, he’s not just a face on the Mt. Rushmore of Professional Wrestling; he’s the face.

On the other hand, there was much ugliness that is difficult for many to reconcile.

You can not tell the story of professional wrestling without Hulk Hogan. Also, you can not tell his story without telling all of it: the good and the bad.

It doesn’t mean people won’t try on either end of the spectrum. That, however, is the burden of reclamation.

While his racist comments made it easy to wash my hands of the man, it hurt because it made feel foolish for ever being a Hulkamanic.

Yet, despite the hurt, something kept me checking in on all things red and yellow from time to time.

How? Why?

For the LJN/Hasbro generation, when a professional wrestler dies, its the equivalent of a superhero dying. Hulk Hogan was my hero as a kid and the reason I got into wrestling.

He appeared on everything from bed sheets to lunch boxes. No wrestler garnered more flash bulbs and sold more tickets.

At a young age, times were tough, in and out of the home. Wrestling was my escape, and watching Hogan vanquish bad guys gave me hope that maybe the world isn’t such an awful place.

The Hulksters’ matches with Andre, Warrior and Savage were more than mere contests but adventures that exhilarated the soul.

Life was great and wrestling was cool.

Somewhere between Surbaban Commmando and Thunder in Paradise, wrestling became passé. It happened as we traded in our ten-speeds for transport of the automotive variety.

One Bash at the Beach later, Hulk Hogan became a bad guy and formed the NWO with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Once again, the world was watching.

Wrestling was cool again.

As a Black man in his mid-40s, I understand Hulk Hogan’s opinion of people who look like me. Yet, he made my childhood a better place, and that’s something I’ll always look back on fondly.

Mourning and celebration are not the purpose of these words. Nor are they an exercise of separating art and artist.

It’s reverence, not for the man, but the idea of Hulk Hogan. The hero that inspired us to be the best versions of ourselves.

I let my inner child take the wheel on this one, reveling in the nostalgia of a character who was the fulcrum of my favorite pastime.

Today, I’m 7 years old, blissfully ignorant to the reality of what’s to come, and eagerly waiting for the bell to ring as the Mega Powers explode.

My condolences to his family and loved ones.

-Favorite Matches

Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage – WrestleMania 5: The Mega Powers explode, causing the ultimate friendship to collapse due to jealousy over Miss. Elizabeth. The match oozed tension that lived up to its billing.

Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior: WrestleMania 6: This was Superman vs. Batman inside a wrestling ring. As a Hulk Hogan fan, this was the first time I was concerned that he might not win. He lost but shined even more in defeat.

Hulk Hogan vs. Stan Hansen – AJPW/WWF/NJPW Wrestling Summit 4/13/90: Drop toe hold, transition into a front chancery and a running crossbody…OMG, Hulk can wrestle.

Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair: Bash at the Beach 1994: The fact that this match happened in WCW instead of WrestleMania was crazy and quite a fun ride.

Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock – WrestleMania 18: Many believed this was doomed to fail because Hogan was too old. Instead, he stole the show in a classic outing meant to pass the torch.

Hulk Hogan & Edge vs. Billy & Chuck – SmackDown 7/4/02: I was there live and it was sureal to see Hogan winning a title that wasn’t the World Championship. Hogan became one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, in Boston, on the Fourth of July.

Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton – SummerSlam 2006: Hull Hogan received the single loudest ovation I’ve ever heard in an arena. I literally couldn’t hear myself think.

Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71

The biggest star in the history of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday, July 24, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan’s passing was first reported by TMZ, who indicated that the cause of death was due to cardiac arrest.

Hulk Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling is immeasurable. Without him, the wrestling industry wouldn’t exist, or at the very least, it would look a lot different than it does today. He was responsible for the industry’s two biggest boom periods.

In the 1980s, Hogan was already a massive star in Japan and for Vern Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA). He became even more popular for his role in Rocky III as the brash brute, Thunderlips, squaring off against Rocky Balboa.

Hogan became the face of Vince McMahon’s national expansion of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Hulkamania ran wild, WrestleMania was born, and the business and fans alike never looked back.

In the 1990s, Hogan turned heel in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and formed the nWo, which became known as Hollywood Hogan. This move was responsible for WCW surpassing WWE in the late 90s and becoming the top wrestling promotion in the world.

Hulk Hogan transcended wrestling and became an integral part of the pop culture zeitgeist. Even if you didn’t know anything about wrestling, you knew the name of Hulk Hogan. Rick Derringer’s “Real American” wasn’t just Hogan’s entrance music, but the anthem of a generation of ’80s kids.

Of course, when our heroes are often examined, there are incredible highs and incredible lows. Hogan passed away ten years to the day when the tape of his infamous racist rant was published. It irrevocably marred his legacy, causing other misdeeds to come to light while others that were ignored became part of his story.

Hogan apologized for the remarks in a statement released to People magazine; however, the sincerity of his apology was questioned by many. He didn’t help himself when, in 2018, he went to a WWE event to apologize to the locker room, but he didn’t apologize and instead cautioned the wrestlers to be careful of what they say in public.

Later in life, Hogan’s political leanings made him a divisive figure. The reaction he received during his last professional wrestling appearance in January was the antithesis of the acclaim he received throughout his career. The Los Angeles crowd mercifully booed him throughout the segment, which became the headline coming out of the inaugural episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix.

Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 before being removed in 2015 for his racist remarks and later reinstated in 2018. WWE sent its condolences to his family and loved ones.

“WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Bollea, recognized globally as Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, has passed away,” The company wrote. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Many of Hulk Hogan’s contemporaries, friends, and fellow wrestlers publicly mourned the loss of the wrestling icon with heartfelt tributes.

-Ric Flair

“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend

@HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”

–Booker T via HOF Podcast

“I thank the dude, Hulk for what he did for the business, as well as, you know, sparking the flame for Harlem Heat to go on a run in WCW, that’ll never be duplicated in all of professional wrestling.

I also thank him for not…you know, getting me fired with my most infamous moment in all of professional wrestling, you know what I mean, that people are still talking about still to this day. That I can’t get away from it. I can’t run away from it. I can’t hide from it or anything like that because of social media.

That day for me….I always wonder what would’ve happened, you know, if that would’ve happened today. You know? I always wonder what would’ve happened if he would’ve taken, um, you know, a certain feeling about that and went to the office and said something. Who knows, where would I be right now?”

– Jake “the Snake” Roberts

“It’s hard to put into words what Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea meant to professional wrestling and entertainment. He may be gone, but his memory and legacy will live forever. RIP Hulkster”

– “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze

“I’m absolutely heartbroken to hear about the unexpected passing of Hulk Hogan. He wasn’t just a colleague. He was a giant in every sense of the word and made wrestling what it is today. Hulk was an icon who made so many of us believe that larger-than-life was possible. He opened the doors for generations of wrestlers to step into the spotlight, and his impact on this business is immeasurable. My heart goes out to his family and fans around the world.” – “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze

– Eric Bischoff

“Thanks for the house Hulkster.”

– Sting

“HULK HOGAN – THE GREATEST OF ALL. Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP.”

– Steve Austin

“Hulk Hogan was born to be a Professional Wrestler. Larger than life. Charisma for days. He was in a stratosphere all on his own. His contributions are immense. His influence will be forever. Hulkamania lives on. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Karrion Kross: Bumping Controversies Explained

Karrion Kross had his first PLE match in two years at WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, where he lost to Sami Zayn. Many were excited to see Kross in a featured match as his popularity has increased since his infamous “worked/shoot” promo in April during WrestleMania weekend.

Unfortunately, glad tidings in wrestling often come with mudslinging. WhatCulture.com reported that the reason Kross has received a lack of television time is that he won’t take bumps in his matches. The report cites comments on the matter from longtime wrestling journalist Wade Keller.

“I talked about this when he was all the rage in NXT and coming out of TNA,” said Keller. “I was like, ‘wrestlers are telling me when he gets to the main roster, nobody’s gonna put up with the fact that he doesn’t take bumps.’ He’s scared to bump. He doesn’t flat back bump. I don’t know if he’s got an injury or a concern.”

A bump (or back bump) in professional wrestling is a controlled backwards fall onto the canvas, designed to prevent injury while absorbing impact. Wrestlers tuck their chin while slapping the mat with their hands, distributing their weight evenly to dissipate the force.

The idea that Kross doesn’t take bumps is weird. After all, why should a wrestler put their body on the line to make someone look good if their opponent isn’t willing to do the same? Kross delivers several suplex variations to his opponents. So, the least he can do is take a few bumps in return?

Taking bumps in a match is its own animal. Timing, psychology, and trust are all factors that contribute to a wrestler throwing themselves on their back to create the illusion that they have been knocked down by a thunderous blow and battered by a bone-crushing maneuver.

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Top 50 WrestleMania Matches of All Time

Since 1985, WrestleMania has been WWE’s premier event—a can’t-miss phenomenon of sport and spectacle that transcends professional wrestling. The greatest moments, most heated rivalries, and biggest matches are reserved for the “Showcase of the Immortals.”

Fans often debate what the greatest WrestleMania matches are, resulting in a wide range of opinions. For many fans, the match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III stands out. It is a cultural cornerstone of the industry. It is iconic for some, while others consider it unspectacular.

Every list and ranking of this nature is subjective. My list is no more important or better than anyone else’s. Fans watch wrestling for different reasons: some appreciate the athleticism, while others are drawn to the drama. Many enjoy wrestling for all it has to offer.

WrestleMania often reflects the industry at its best. The combination of pomp and pageantry creates seminal moments and legendary matches that leave a lasting impression on the hearts and souls of every wrestling fan.

With so many great matches to consider, compiling this list was a challenge. Without further ado, here are Ringside Logic’s 50 Greatest WrestleMania Matches.

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John Cena’s Shocking Heel Turn at WWE Elimination Chamber

It happened. The heel turn of all heel turns occurred at WWE’s Elimination Chamber event in Toronto. John Cena, the biggest superstar in modern WWE history, shocked the world when he did the one thing he said he’d never do. Cena led a blindside attack on WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, revealing that he, not Rhodes, had sold his soul to The Rock.

Now, John Cena’s farewell tour is a road to perdition

Following Cena’s victory in the Elimination Chamber match, which punched his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 41, Rhodes shook his hand as a symbolic commencement of their road to “The Grandest Stage of The All.”

The Rock, accompanied by rapper Travis Scott, came out to get Rhodes’ answer. Would the WWE Champion sell his soul to “The Final Boss?” Rhodes passionately stated that he had already given his soul to the sport and the fans and concluded with an emphatic “Go F@#% Yourself” to the Hollywood megastar.

Cena hugged Rhodes under the guise of admiration until The Rock gave the order with a throat slash, and Cena went from smile to killer as he kicked Rhodes below the belt and pummeled him with his father’s Rolex. The beating ended with Cena and Scott holding Rhodes down as Rock whipped him with an “American Nightmare” style weight belt insultingly etched with the date of his father’s passing.

Execution is everything in entertainment, and John Cena’s heel turn was well-executed from top to bottom. When WWE lowered the chamber for the men’s match, it quietly signaled that the Rock/Rhodes confrontation was the main event. There was no formal announcement; it was just business as usual.

Fans everywhere knew something big was coming once they realized the confrontation would go on last. Few suspected Cena’s turn to the dark side, but many dismissed the idea as soon as they thought it. Everyone assumed Rock/Rhodes would happen in the middle of the show, and saying otherwise a week or two beforehand would have given everyone more time to deduce the outcome. WWE also didn’t give fans much time to think, which made Cena’s heel turn infinitely better.

Cena hammed it up for the crowd when Rhodes dropped his F-bomb. That should have been a hint, but it snuck under the radar since Cena always hams it up. Then came the hug. Cena embraced Rhodes while giving The Rock a diabolical look before he lowered the boom.

The hug and the look were the key ingredients in Cena’s heel turn. Usually, when a heel turn happens, the victim and the audience find out together. It is almost a communal experience. Here, the audience found out first, letting just enough shock and awe set in before Cody was betrayed.

This time around, Rhodes was indeed the last one to know.

John Cena’s turn began at the Royal Rumble’s post-show press conference. Cena was steadfast in his declaration for the elimination chamber match, citing that his involvement in the main event of WrestleMania is what’s best for business.

The embodiment of hustle, loyalty, and respect would never use his clout to get ahead, right? So what if he simply called his shot instead of qualifying like everyone else? Sure, he spewed that infamous corporate rhetoric about business.

It was an off-brand message chalked up to frustration, having almost won the Royal Rumble. Perhaps it was good old-fashioned nostalgia that gave Cena a pass since it’s his farewell tour. What if Rhodes had taken The Rock up on his offer? Where would that have left Cena?

It’s hard to imagine John Cena being anyone’s plan B. Would Rock have two souls instead of one? Or did the Hollywood Heels (patent pending) know Rhodes would never bend the knee? The latter is the most likely scenario due to one mitigating factor.

Cody Rhodes already has everything The Rock offered him. Fame, fortune, cars, movie/television roles, and he’s the face of WWE. On the other hand, The Rock has something he can offer Cena. The record. A seventeenth world championship. Cena doesn’t care how he gets it, and why should he. After all, he tied the record fair and square. So what if he cheats to break it?

Heel turns are a tale as old as time in professional wrestling. They hit differently, however, when it is the biggest star in the business trading in their white hat for a black hat. Cena’s turn conjured instant comparisons to when Hulk Hogan turned heel in 1996, formed the nWo, and thus changed the business forever. Both wrestlers were the heroes of their respective eras, and both turns were extremely shocking.

In 1996, the Internet was still in its infancy. A steady stream of information about the inner workings of wrestling was not readily available, so there was nothing to spoil or even hint at what occurred at Bash at the Beach. Hogan was off TV for three months, which augmented the shock of his turn.

Twenty-nine years later, the Internet is available to everyone, and many fans have a greater understanding of wrestling due to the backstage news cycle of various promotions. As a result, some deduced Cena’s turn once the order of events for the Elimination Chamber was revealed.

A Cody Rhodes/John Cena match had been rumored for a few months as the main event at WrestleMania. Some didn’t believe it. Those who did believe it assumed Cena would pass the torch to Rhodes in a babyface vs. babyface affair similar to WrestleMania VI when Hulk Hogan lost to the Ultimate Warrior.

Good guy against good guy is a hard match to pull off. Not only do you risk splitting the audience, there is no heat. The aforementioned Warrior/Hogan match is a masterclass of two heroes clashing. The same can’t be said for Steve Austin vs. Undertaker at the 1998 SummerSlam. Austin was unquestionably the star of the company, but the Undertaker had too much respect from the audience to jeer him without cause.

WrestleMania 41 now has a main event with white-hot heat. It’s no longer a given that Rhodes beats Cena. In fact, heel Cena is the biggest threat to Rhodes’ title. Babyface Cena beating Rhodes for the world title record is a feel-good story that some would damn with faint praise. Newly minted heel Cena beating Rhodes for the record is something the world would remember, and the same for Rhodes conquering a now soulless Cena.

“How dare you talk to me about chances, John Cena. I have had to earn everything I’ve ever been given in life, and still, they’re taken from me. You, you’re the golden goose, John. Your chances they’re unlimited, you’re untouchable. But you’re not a hero, John. You’re a bully. You’re a horrible person. You take the weaknesses of others, and you turn them into jokes. You do anything for fame, John. Congratulations, you’re the man now, John. Poor, lonely John Cena. This is your last chance, man.” – Bray Wyatt

Thank You, Paul London!

I’m baaaack! Wow, it’s been seven months. Don’t worry—as the kids say, I got the deets. Seriously, though, my personal life is usually persona non grata on the site. However, I want to explain my absence and how wrestling became some much-needed soul soup.

Illness, surgery, post-surgery complications, and COVID put me down for the count. I was in pain, which seemed endless. Desperate for relief, I withdrew from everyday life, only appearing where the obligation trumped expectation. A brave face and a big smile became the mask of an endless front.

Meanwhile, an independent wrestling promotion, Royal Crown Wrestling, announced that former WWE superstar Paul London would appear on an upcoming show in my area. I couldn’t mark the date on my calendar fast enough.

Most people cheer on the titans of their favorite genre while gaining a deep appreciation for the work, talent, and skill of an underrated and, perhaps, unappreciated few. For me, it’s Sam Cassell in basketball, Reggie Wayne in football, Max Rebo in Star Wars, and Paul London in professional wrestling.

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WrestleMania 39 Match Card and Rumors.

The grandest stage of them all is upon us. WrestleMania 39 emanates from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. WWE will again go with the two-night format on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, and stream live on Peacock.

While the lineups for each night have not been announced, Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes versus WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns is the official main event and is expected to headline on night 2.

WrestleMania 39 Official Match Card:

–WWE Undisputed Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes

–SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley

–Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka

–WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory vs. John Cena

-Brock Lesnar vs. Omos

-Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus vs. Damage CNTRL

-Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul

Rumored Matches:

Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. The Usos

Edge vs. Finn Balor

Bray Wyatt vs. Bobby Lashley

Rey Mysterio vs. Dominick Mysterio

Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus

Twelve matches, between the official and rumored lineups, will give each night of WrestleMania six matches. If this ends up as the final card, it falls in line with the reports of Triple H wanting fewer matches on the show, leaving many wrestlers off the Premium Live Event.

While not officially announced, Logan Paul stated on his podcast Wednesday that WWE sent him confirmation his match with Seth Rollins will occur on night 1, which is his birthday.

If Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens versus The Usos becomes official for WrestleMania, it absolutely needs to headline night 1. I know that will not be a popular opinion. Rhea Ripley won the Royal Rumble and deserves one of the two main event spots, but this is show business. Sami/KO vs. Usos would be the second-biggest match on the card by a country mile.

The Bloodline saga is the best story WWE has told in decades. The rest of the matches are fighting for a distant third place.