John Cena’s future in WWE remains in limbo after his recent defeat to Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel 2023. This loss marks yet another setback for the 16-time world champion, extending his televised singles match winless streak to over 2,000 days. The question on everyone’s mind now is whether this loss signals the end of Cena’s illustrious wrestling career.
Cena’s return to WWE two months prior to the Crown Jewel event was a surprise to many. His comeback coincided with the ongoing writer and actor strikes in Hollywood, allowing him to make a significant impact on the wrestling scene. His rivalry with The Bloodline began when he was interrupted by Jimmy Uso during a promo, leading to an Attitude Adjustment and setting the stage for a series of confrontations.
Despite his lackluster singles match record in recent years, Cena has remained unselfishly committed to elevating young talent in the ring. His willingness to put over rising stars has been commendable, but concerns grow that the continual losses might tarnish his legendary character. Many suggest Cena must secure a victory soon to maintain his credibility and ensure that future wins against him still carry weight, especially after the WWE started calling him the “Greatest of all Time” backstage.
Cena’s defeat to Sikoa at Crown Jewel was particularly significant, as it took place in Saudi Arabia – a location where the WWE’s GOAT had previously enjoyed success, including his last televised singles match victory in 2018 over Triple H. His participation in the event was noteworthy, considering his absence from the controversial Crown Jewel PLE.
If nothing else, Cena’s return to the Kingdom of Riyadh after a five-year hiatus was highly anticipated, with fans hoping for a triumphant victory to cap off his comeback.
However, Solo Sikoa’s dominant performance prevented that outcome. Sikoa’s relentless assault with a series of Samoan Spikes handed Cena one of the most one-sided losses of his career. The defeat was not just a personal setback for Cena but raised the specter of retirement, a topic that Cena himself had teased in promos leading up to the event.
Despite speculation about his future, Cena’s presence in WWE remains a significant draw. His star power continues to be a guaranteed draw, boosting ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and TV viewership. During his current run, Cena has worked primarily with emerging talents, aiming to elevate stars like LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Sikoa. With WWE’s roster brimming with potential rivals, Cena has no shortage of adversaries to confront if he chooses to continue wrestling, even on a part-time basis.
Names like Grayson Waller, members of The Judgment Day, Bronson Reed, Gunther and Imperium, Bobby Lashley, The Street Profits, and even Cody Rhodes have been floated as potential opponents. Each matchup offers an opportunity for Cena to pass the torch to the next generation of WWE superstars.
However, the elephant in the room remains Cena’s dwindling win record. If he continues to perform in the ring without securing victories, his capacity to elevate others may diminish. A string of losses can only go so far before the luster of defeating John Cena starts to fade.
Now, all eyes are on Cena, specifically, his next move. Is he coming back to Hollywood, leaving his former home behind for another hiatus? Or will he stick around to reclaim some of his former glory?
After becoming the highest grossing Hollywood actor of 2023 earlier this year, Cena will reprise his role in DC Universe as Peacemaker. While it’s unclear when he’ll make his return in the DCU, fans can watch him take on Earthrealm’s combatants in Mortal Kombat 1.
