5 WWE Superstars John Cena could face at SummerSlam 2021 apart from Roman Reigns

John Cena
John Cena

With WWE's return to touring next month, quite a few big stars could come back. Among them is John Cena, who may return on the first show with fans - the July 16th episode of SmackDown.

He is likely to wrestle at SummerSlam, with reports suggesting that Roman Reigns will be his opponent. While that is a big match and would be a great main event for a 'Big Four' pay-per-view, plenty of other WWE Superstars could get the rub of facing Cena in his return match.

Any match involving the 16-time world champion would be a big one, which rings true in each instance here. WWE can tell several different stories with John Cena at SummerSlam, while Reigns defends the Universal Championship against another opponent.

Their star power can be spread across multiple matches. This would only strengthen the card for the August supershow. WWE is not short on talent near the top of the card, with a plethora of options who can be considered to be Cena's opponent at SummerSlam.

It could still very well be Roman Reigns. But if it is not, here are five WWE Superstars who could face John Cena at SummerSlam.


#5 John Cena could face Daniel Bryan in a rematch from SummerSlam 2013

John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan
John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan

As of right now, Daniel Bryan is a free agent after his WWE contract expired a month ago. It is still likely that he will re-sign with the company, with a possible deal to work in NJPW as well. Bryan is said to be at the forefront of the apparent talks between the two companies.

However, with that being said, he could still wrestle at SummerSlam. Bryan is one of WWE's biggest stars and his inclusion would boost the card. The "Leader of the Yes! Movement" may return along with fans, and could be an outside shout to face John Cena at the big event.

Daniel Bryan last faced Cena eight years ago, at SummerSlam 2013. The two wrestled a brilliant match that ended in a clean victory for the five-time WWE World Champion. They could run it back at this year's SummerSlam, playing on the dynamic of their previous match.

While not exactly star-building, a match between Cena and Bryan would light up the returning WWE Universe. It pits the two most popular babyfaces of the past decade against each other, with the guarantee of a good match.

#4 John Cena could take on fellow WWE legend Edge at SummerSlam 2021

John Cena vs. Edge
John Cena vs. Edge

John Cena has had several great feuds with legendary WWE Superstars over the years. From his illustrious list of rivals, his most memorable one might be Edge. From TLC Matches to Last Man Standing bouts, the WWE Hall of Famer has had some excellent matches with Cena during the late 2000s.

Edge has been advertised to return to WWE on the July 16th episode of SmackDown as well, over three months after his and Daniel Bryan's crushing defeat to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 37. John Cena may also be at that show, which makes a confrontation between the Leader of the Cenation and the Rated-R Superstar a possibility.

The two former rivals could rekindle their epic feud in time for SummerSlam, which would be all the more stacked with Cena and Edge facing off. It would be 15 years after their match at SummerSlam 2006 - one that was won by the Ultimate Opportunist. A similar outcome would be expected if the match happens in August.

If nothing else, a match between Edge and John Cena at SummerSlam would provide some nostalgia for fans of WWE's Ruthless Aggression Era. These two masterful storytellers would make it work, right from the build-up to the actual match.

#3 John Cena could have an in-ring match against The Fiend at SummerSlam 2021

John Cena vs. The Fiend
John Cena vs. The Fiend

The last time we saw John Cena on WWE TV, he was being mentally tortured by "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt. The 16-time world champion took on the monstrous being in a Firefly Fun House Match at WrestleMania 36, which was an excellent cinematic encounter.

But that wasn't the plan. Cena was supposed to face The Fiend in the ring at the Raymond James Stadium before the COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE to relocate WrestleMania. So maybe there is an outside chance of their match taking place at this year's SummerSlam instead.

It is unlikely, considering how well the alternative did. But with John Cena having been consumed by The Fiend within WWE canon, he may need to fight him again to escape. The company should tie his return to Bray Wyatt in some form, showcasing the after-effects of the Firefly Fun House Match.

Facing Wyatt may not be the best option for Cena if he returns for a match at SummerSlam, but it would do wonders for the WWE RAW Superstar. Another win over the Leader of the Cenation may rehabilitate The Fiend after a difficult year for the character, particularly his feud with Randy Orton.

#2 John Cena could challenge WWE Champion Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam 2021

John Cena vs. Bobby Lashley
John Cena vs. Bobby Lashley

If John Cena does not go after Roman Reigns, he may end up facing WWE's other world champion. Bobby Lashley has shown incredible dominance since the formation of The Hurt Business last summer, with his WWE Championship reign furthering the dominance of The All Mighty.

The WWE Champion is on a roll and is set to have a big summer. If he keeps the title heading into SummerSlam, he will have a marquee match at the event. Lashley may face Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, but if The Beast does not return in time, Cena is a good alternative.

Even if he does return, Lesnar could feasibly move to SmackDown and challenge Reigns. John Cena would then take on Bobby Lashley in one of the key matches at SummerSlam. The feud sounds exciting, especially MVP battling it out on promos with the 16-time world champion.

The two have faced each other before, with Lashley's WWE Title match against Cena at The Great American Bash 2007 marking the end of his first run with the company. 14 years on, they are both much bigger stars. Will John Cena get to 17 world titles, though?

#1 John Cena could face Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam 2021

John Cena vs. Drew McIntyre
John Cena vs. Drew McIntyre

One WWE Superstar who fits the bill perfectly as John Cena's next opponent is Drew McIntyre.

The former WWE Champion has grown into a main-eventer, with his first world title victory coming directly after the Firefly Fun House Match involving Cena. McIntyre has grown into a star of his own, although it is difficult to prosper without live fans in attendance.

A victory over John Cena would be huge for The Scottish Warrior, who could do with some time away from the WWE Title picture. McIntyre may even need to turn heel to offset some of the apathy the fans may currently be feeling towards him. This makes a program with Cena a possibility for SummerSlam.

Alternatively, in the unlikely event that Drew McIntyre defeats Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell, John Cena could face him with the added edge of the world title record being at stake. Whether or not the WWE Title is involved, feuding with Cena is the best-case scenario for McIntyre this summer.

Whether he takes on Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, or Drew McIntyre, John Cena will likely affirm a new megastar in WWE and put them over. Hopefully, he does return for a match at SummerSlam either way.


What do you want to see from the 16-time world champion at the Biggest Event of the Summer? Do you think Cena should break Ric Flair's record of 16 world title wins? Sound off in the comments below!

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