John Cena is expected to make his long-awaited return to WWE later this year, according to reports.
Since signing a contract with the company in 2001, Cena has established himself as one of wrestling’s biggest stars.
He won his first WWE Championship in 2005, beating JBL at WrestleMania. Cena was elevated to a position where he was the ‘face of the company’.
In the early 2010s, he had memorable feuds with CM Punk, The Rock and Brock Lesnar. He won, to date, his most recent WWE Championship in 2017, defeating AJ Styles.
He also enjoyed an impressive United States Championship reign, winning the title at WrestleMania 31 before issuing a weekly open challenge to the entire roster.
In recent years, WWE fans have seen less of Cena due to his commitments in Hollywood. He now works a part-time schedule for the company.
The 44-year-old issued a sad update earlier in April. He told GQ Magazine: “I think now, being a full-time touring performer might start to hit the point of diminishing returns, and I have to be realistic when I look at that.”
Read more: John Cena gives update on WWE future that will sadden fans
Thankfully for fans, however, it appears that they will get to see Cena in WWE at some point in 2022.
New update on John Cena’s WWE return
According to esteemed wrestling journalist Brad Shepard, Cena is expected to come back to WWE during this calendar year.
The revelation is significant because, since Cena last appeared in WWE, there has been no indication of when or if he would return to the company. Cena has been filming his new series, ‘Peacemaker’, and other Hollywood commitments continue to grow.
He told his Unleashed Patreon (quotes as per SportsKeeda): “I spoke with a source in WWE today, and they told me John Cena is expected back in late June of this year.
“I don’t have a more specific time frame or the creative plan yet, but I do know he’ll be showing his face.”
A late June timeframe is interesting, given that SummerSlam will be held at the earlier date of July 30 this year. Cena could potentially, therefore, work that event against a top WWE star.
When was John Cena last in WWE?
John Cena was last seen in WWE at last year’s SummerSlam event. He took on Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship in a losing effort.
The match lasted 23 minutes, and the 44-year-old put on an impressive showing. He performed an Attitude Adjustment on Reigns from the top rope and slammed the ‘Tribal Chief’ through a table.
The ‘Leader of the Cenation’ signed a WWE contract spanning 15 appearances. WWE dubbed this ‘The Summer of Cena‘.
Barring his main event match against Reigns, Cena exclusively wrestled in dark matches or house shows during this period. Whether he takes up more of an active in-ring role upon any return to the company is unclear, but fans will be delighted with the latest update that he could soon be on his way home.
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