In the unpredictable world of professional wrestling, retirements are often as elusive as surprise entrances. The recent chapter in John Cena’s storied career is no exception, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if the wrestling legend is truly bidding adieu to the squared circle.
Cena’s return to WWE was nothing short of a spectacle, a brief yet impactful stint that left fans craving more. However, the echoes of his departure come with a surprising twist—surgery on both elbows. The revelation opens a Pandora’s box of speculation, hinting at potential retirements and leaving the WWE universe in suspense.
The backdrop of Cena’s last return was the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike, a period of labor unrest in Hollywood that saw Cena answering the call to duty in the wrestling ring. Dave Meltzer, renowned wrestling journalist, weighed in on the situation during Wrestling Observer Radio, shedding light on the toll Cena’s return took on his physical well-being.
“He might do a comeback next year, but now that the strike’s over, the only reason he’s back is because of the strike. He fulfilled his commitments and everything. He’s having surgery on both elbows, so you know, that’s you know, he didn’t do a lot. He really didn’t wrestle a lot, but he still ended up with two surgeries, so that says that maybe he won’t do,” Meltzer shared.
- Advertisement -
The unexpected need for surgery after a limited in-ring appearance raises questions about the toll even sporadic wrestling engagements take on a performer’s body. Cena’s case, with surgeries required on both elbows, underscores the physically demanding nature of professional wrestling, even for a veteran like him.
Cena’s recent tease of retirement adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. Wrestling fans are familiar with the theatricality that often surrounds retirements in the sport. The anticipation, the uncertainty, and the emotional weight of a wrestler contemplating hanging up their boots create a dramatic backdrop. Cena’s surgical saga adds a new dimension, leaving fans wondering if his WWE swansong is a curtain call or merely an intermission.
Thank you @JeffDugasMD and your entire team in Birmingham! One arm fixed, clean & headed for therapy … one arm left to go! Thank you again and see you ASAP for the next one!!
— John Cena (@JohnCena) November 10, 2023
- Advertisement -
Dave Meltzer speculated on Cena’s future in the ring, suggesting, “I would expect him to do a WrestleMania match or something like that, and maybe sporadic TVs, but not a whole hell of a lot.” The prospect of sporadic appearances raises questions about the longevity of Cena’s wrestling career, especially considering his flourishing ventures in Hollywood.
The collision of two worlds—Hollywood and WWE—introduces a compelling narrative arc. Cena’s foray into Hollywood has been marked by success, and the allure of the silver screen, where physical tolls are of a different nature, beckons. The surgery on both elbows becomes a symbolic crossroads, signaling not just a physical recovery but potentially a shift in career priorities.
- Advertisement -
In the grand theater of professional wrestling, retirements are seldom linear. They are often imbued with ambiguity, keeping fans guessing and emotions running high. Cena, a maestro in the art of surprise, has once again left the wrestling world in suspense. As the curtain falls on his recent WWE stint, the stage is set for the next act in John Cena’s illustrious career—a tale that continues to captivate audiences, both in the ring and beyond.
