In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, there are few names as iconic and polarizing as John Cena. His legacy, spanning over two decades, is etched in the annals of WWE history. Cena has graced the squared circle with his presence, creating moments and matches that will be remembered for generations to come. However, like all great stories, his time in WWE has had its ebbs and flows, with the possibility of his last act on SmackDown looming large.
Roman Reigns’ return to WWE SmackDown two weeks ago sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. The Tribal Chief, who had taken a hiatus from the ring, returned with a renewed sense of purpose and dominance. His presence at the top of the WWE mountain has been a defining era for the blue brand, but with his return, many questions and intriguing storylines have emerged.
Chief among these storylines is the long-standing rivalry between Roman Reigns and John Cena. Cena, another wrestling icon in his own right, has reportedly been wrapping up his WWE return, with October 27th potentially marking his last appearance. Cena’s return has been met with a mixed bag of emotions, from excitement to speculation about his intentions.
Cena wasted no time making an impact upon his return, confronting Roman Reigns and introducing LA Knight as the next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. This bold move raised eyebrows and led to even more speculation about Cena’s motives. Is he returning for one last championship run? Or is he seeking to cement his legacy by taking down The Tribal Chief?
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Adding fuel to the fire are reports of the Hollywood strike nearing its conclusion, which has led some to believe that Cena’s acting commitments might influence his wrestling career. Furthermore, Cena has teased retirement on numerous occasions, leading fans to ponder whether he is genuinely contemplating hanging up his wrestling boots for good.
As the SmackDown landscape takes shape, it’s impossible to ignore the turmoil within The Bloodline, Roman Reigns’ faction. Despite Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa appearing to align with Reigns, tensions within the family are palpable. Jey Uso’s move to RAW only amplified the conflict, with Jimmy costing his brother the Tag Team Titles in a recent episode. This internal strife presents a unique opportunity for Cena to exploit.
John Cena has not been immune to confrontations either, as he has engaged in heated brawls with Solo Sikoa. The fact that Cena has only participated in tag team matches over the past year and has been unable to secure a singles victory for over 2000 days raises intriguing questions about his motivation and what he intends to achieve with his WWE return.
One possibility that has captured the imagination of fans is the potential return of Rikishi as a parting gift from Cena to spite Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. Rikishi, a WWE Hall of Famer, engaged in a memorable feud with Cena in the early to mid-2000s. His watchful eye on family matters and teasing appearances have added a layer of unpredictability to the situation.
In addition to this, Roman Reigns recently crossed paths with Cody Rhodes, a former nemesis, hinting at a rivalry that might not be over. Rumors of a clash between the two at WrestleMania 40 have ignited excitement and intrigue within the WWE Universe.
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Amidst all these developments, Roman Reigns faces a challenge in the form of Damian Priest, the current holder of the Money in the Bank contract. Priest, known as Senor Money in the Bank, could be lurking in the shadows at Crown Jewel 2023, waiting for the perfect opportunity to cash in on a vulnerable Tribal Chief. While he has primarily hinted at going after the World Heavyweight Championship on RAW, no one can predict when and where he might strike.
With WWE’s vested interest in Roman Reigns surpassing all title records, his reign is expected to endure through the majority of the next year, promising a long and eventful journey ahead. As these compelling storylines continue to unfold on SmackDown, the wrestling world eagerly anticipates the next chapters in the ongoing saga of the Tribal Chief, John Cena, and the captivating world of WWE.