5 WWE Superstars who could retire John Cena

John Cena is a true icon of the WWE.

Debuting on the main roster in 2002, Cena's career started off shaky, though he got more confident in his rapper gimmick, winning his first WWE Championship in 2005.

From there, Cena would go on to become a 16-time World Champion, main eventing multiple WrestleManias and transcending the industry into pop-culture, much like Hulk Hogan and The Rock before him.

But with his Hollywood career now getting bigger and bigger, the truth is, is that Cena's time in the ring is coming to an end, with the Chaingang leader appearing in just a handful of matches in 2018.

With such an iconic star, it's important for Big Match John to get a proper send-off, which leaves the WWE with a huge question.

Here are five WWE Superstars who could be the one, to retire John Cena.

#5 Daniel Bryan

Cena and Bryan battled for the WWE Championship at Summerslam 2013, with Triple H as guest referee.

The careers of Daniel Bryan could not have started more differently.

Cena was a prodigy of the WWF training ground, a true blue chipper in his 2002 debut, whilst Bryan did not make it in WWE until 2010, after a decade honing his craft on the indies.

Despite their differences, both men have had huge success, being former World Champions and beloved heroes, though Bryan recently turned his back on the fans.

Competing on Velocity during Bryan's brief tenure with WWE in 2003, things could come full circle if Bryan was to be the one to end Cena's career.

And we're sure that if he was to do this (as a heel), the new Daniel Bryan would not let fans hear the end of it.

#4 The next big star

Cena debuted in WWE in 2002, answering the open invitational challenge of Kurt Angle.

This one is hard to judge, but there would be some poetry to it.

Cena debuted on SmackDown answering Kurt Angle's open invitational, and despite coming up short, showed fans a glimpse of what would become a future mainstay of the main event scene.

How appropriate would it be, therefore, for Cena to say his goodbyes, and offer one final open challenge, which could be answered by a debuting Superstar? Who this Superstar would be, remains to be seen, as the WWE would have to choose carefully.

It'd be a difficult choice to make, as fans seem more inclined to cheer for indie stars, whilst the company would no-doubt prefer their own star to make a name for themselves solely in WWE, as the final opponent of the 16-time World Champion.

#3 Randy Orton

Cena and Orton have battled for years, and have had great chemistry in matches.

Of all of Cena's foes in the past, perhaps no-one is more linked to him than Randy Orton. Debuting roughly in the same year, both were thrust into the World title picture, before feuding in 2007 to 2009, and later in 2013 to 2014.

During their first reign of bouts together, the pair competed in some hellacious matches, including an I-Quit Match at Breaking Point, Hell In A Cell, and an Iron Man match at Bragging Rights.

Orton has recently vowed to destroy all the heroes in WWE, and despite some hostility from fans, Cena is definitely a hero to millions of fans around the world.

Giving these two one last hurrah would be a great way to end Cena's time as a Superstar, and give the Viper one more trophy to add to his ever-expanding collection.

#2 Kurt Angle

Cena battles Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship at Unforgiven 2005.

When John Cena debuted in WWE on SmackDown, he did so answering an open invitation, set by Kurt Angle. Coming up short against the Olympian, Cena proved himself that night, and things could truly come full circle if the pair were to face in Cena's (or both men's) last match.

This would obviously have to be a Mania bout, and would presumably be a pre-announced retirement, as the focus would be on Cena going out with a bang, giving the best performance of his life.

Firm friends, Cena and Angle have wrestled countless times before Angle left the company in 2006, and definitely had great chemistry in the ring.

If this has remained with them, Angle would make a fine pick to end the career of the man he introduced to the WWE Universe in 2002.

#1 Drew McIntyre

One of the greatest prodigal son tales, Drew McIntyre's return to WWE has been truly great.

Leaving in 2014 as part of 3MB, McIntyre returned to WWE in 2017, winning the NXT Championship, and joining the main roster as a heel last year.

Expected to be receiving a huge push in 2019, having McIntyre end the reign of one of WWE's most popular stars would certainly elevate him as a heel.

If he was to end Cena, there's no shortage of what McIntyre could do next, but could (and should) be instantly thrust into the Universal Championship picture.

The only concern would be that ending Cena's career would possibly be a career peak for the Scottish Terminator, who at 33 years old, has plenty of years of in-ring competition left in him, and is certainly hoping to do big things in the future.