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Since debuting on the main roster back in 2002, John Cena has been a huge part of WWE and for many of those years, the poster boy. However, in recent times Cena has begun to take more and more time away from the squared circle. He has also recently hinted that he is now only likely to be in WWE as a part-timer.
This has already become quite evident given that Cena’s last appearance in WWE was at Survivor Series and his next will not be until Christmas day. Couple this with the fact Cena is now 40, it is very likely that Cena will not be in WWE for much longer.
This means WWE has a limited amount of time left with Cena. Given, despite what some people think of him, that Cena is a top wrestler in WWE and is still a huge star, WWE will want to get some big matches out of him before he rides off into the sunset. Here are five of those matches Cena should have before he retires.
#5 vs Kurt Angle
John Cena debuted in WWE back in 2002 on the June 27th episode of SmackDown. His opponent that night was already made star Kurt Angle who had issued an open challenge. Cena accepted the challenge and despite losing to Kurt, that was the night Cena made a name for himself in the WWE. He even got congratulations from The Undertaker that night.
So, now that Kurt Angle is even closer to retirement that Cena is, it would only be fitting that the pair lock horns one last time. It also wouldn’t make a bad retirement match for Angle as the story would be very easy to tell. Because Angle gave Cena his start in WWE. But now Cena is going to end Kurt’s career.
And yes, while some may prefer a younger wrestler to retire Angle, the Cena Angle story would likely draw the most and would be a WrestleMania spectacle which is likely what WWE will be looking for.
#4 vs Sami Zayn
Over the years John Cena has not exactly been known for putting over younger talent. He buried the Nexus back at Summer Slam 2010. And he has halted the momentum of many a superstar over the years. Including Rusev who has still not really recovered from Cena beating him.
However, Cena has somewhat warmed up to putting over newer talent in recent times as has been pinned just this year by the likes of Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns and Shinsuke Nakamura.
So, if Cena is to retire soon, he should put over one last up and comer in order to create a new star in WWE. One name that springs to mind is Sami Zayn. Zayn is still relatively new to WWE and has yet to establish himself as a real star.
He has also recently turned heel. Meaning that the pair can now have a proper feud. Granted, they have already wrestled when Cena beat Zayn in a US open challenge match. But Sami wasn’t even a proper member of the roster at that time.
So, now Zayn is establishing himself as a very annoying heel, he an Cena would likely be able to have a very entertaining programme which would probably even get Cena cheered for a change. And if the pair does feud, Zayn should go over as it would make him a huge start in WWE.
#3 vs Braun Strowman
Like with Sami Zayn, Cena and Braun Strowman have already faced off in WWE. However, it was just one match on Monday Night Raw which ended in a DQ. Therefore, the prospect of the duo working a three-month programme should still excite many fans.
Furthermore, as Cena will be retiring sooner rather than later, that will leave a spot to fill as WWE’s biggest draw. Yes, Lesnar and Cena do that currently. But both are part-time and both are not expected to be around for much longer.
This means WWE needs to start turning the likes of Braun Strowman into a star as big as the likes of Cena. One way they can do that is by having Cena and Braun feud and actually have Braun go over. Strowman could even be the guy who retires Cena in his last match.
#2 vs Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre’s first run in WWE was certainly one to forget. Thankfully though, Drew left WWE and came back as a huge independent star and has already captured NXT gold since returning.
Unfortunately, Drew is currently out with an injury he suffered at Takeover: War Games. But when he comes back Drew should be set for the main roster. He was already a big star in NXT and given people will be eager for him to return, it would be the perfect time for him to re-debut on the main roster.
When he does debut, he should feud with Cena. Because given how badly his last main roster run went, some people may still see Drew as not good enough to make it in WWE, even though he is. One way to squash those doubts is by Drew beating the poster boy of WWE in a feud to cement himself as a top guy.
#1 vs AJ Styles
AJ Styles and John Cena have faced off before. But you would be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t want to see it again.
The pair had some excellent matches throughout 2016/17. Including a match of the year candidate at the 2017 Royal Rumble. Moreover, given that AJ Styles is the current WWE Champion and that Cena is still chasing his 17th title to break Ric Flair’s record. Who better for Cena to try and win it from than AJ Styles. We have already seen that they can go in the ring and also cut great promos on each other.
Plus, Styles is now a babyface which would add a new dynamic to their feud as last time they faced off AJ was still a heel.
