As WWE builds excitement for John Cena’s much-anticipated return to RAW on March 17, former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal shared an interesting story about working with the 16-time World Champion.
Back in 2017, Mahal and Cena faced off in a televised SmackDown match. Mahal revealed that several WWE producers advised him against doing a “test of strength” with Cena, as Vince McMahon reportedly dislikes the move. However, Mahal and Cena ignored the advice and went ahead with it.
Jinder Mahal on Cena’s Unscripted Match Style
During an interview with MuscleManMalcolm, Jinder Mahal revealed that John Cena prefers calling matches in the ring, meaning much of their match was unplanned. Although the final outcome was already set—Baron Corbin would cash in his Money in the Bank contract, leading to Mahal’s victory—the sequence leading up to that moment was mostly spontaneous.
Mahal recalled an amusing moment where Cena called for a test of strength at the beginning of their match, despite WWE’s warning. Usually, the move is broken by a kick to the gut, but Cena remained locked in the position without calling the next move. Mahal waited before finally asking Cena if he should kick him, and Cena agreed.
“When we came back, nobody said anything, and we got a thumbs up from Vince,” Mahal shared, suggesting that despite the earlier warnings, their decision didn’t upset McMahon.
While Mahal has wrestled John Cena a few more times, those matches were mostly dark matches or live events rather than televised bouts.
Cody Rhodes Calls Out John Cena Ahead of RAW
Meanwhile, ahead of Cena’s RAW return, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes sent a final message to the veteran during SmackDown in Barcelona, Spain.
Rhodes attacked The Miz, who was one of Cena’s past WrestleMania opponents, before stating that John Cena is the only person he wants to hear from. The upcoming RAW episode will mark the first time Rhodes and Cena cross paths since their dramatic fallout at Elimination Chamber 2025, where Cena betrayed Rhodes.
During a promo last week, Rhodes declared himself “the captain”, seemingly taking a shot at Cena’s leadership in WWE. With their confrontation set for RAW, fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next in this developing storyline.
John Cena’s return to RAW has already created a buzz, especially with former rivals like Jinder Mahal and Cody Rhodes sharing their experiences and challenges with him. Mahal’s story highlights Cena’s influence and unique in-ring style, while Rhodes’ promo hints at an intense showdown on RAW. With Cena’s history of surprises, anything can happen when he steps back into the ring.
FAQs
Why did WWE producers warn Jinder Mahal about the test of strength with John Cena?
Producers advised against it because Vince McMahon reportedly dislikes the move, considering it unnecessary in modern wrestling.
How does John Cena prefer to call matches?
John Cena usually calls the match in the ring, meaning he decides moves on the spot rather than planning them beforehand.
What happened between John Cena and Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber 2025?
Cena turned on Rhodes during the event, leading to tensions between them. Rhodes now claims to be ‘the captain,’ setting up a potential rivalry.
When is John Cena returning to RAW?
Cena is scheduled to return on March 17, 2025, in an episode that is expected to address his issues with Cody Rhodes.
Has Jinder Mahal faced John Cena before?
Yes, Mahal has faced Cena in a few matches, but most of them were live events or dark matches rather than major televised bouts.
