In sports entertainment, sometimes tales unfold in an unexpected manner. This is precisely what happened when WWE made an official announcement that John Cena will face The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso in a handicap match at the upcoming Fastlane premium live event scheduled for October 7.
Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, Cena and AJ Styles, two stalwarts of the wrestling industry, were supposed to team up against the formidable Bloodline duo. However, before the main event could truly kick off, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa unleashed a merciless assault on Styles, culminating in Styles being taken to a hospital. The WWE then shelved the intended tag-team match, leaving Cena alone against the might of the Bloodline.
Cena, always one to embrace a challenge, found himself in a situation where the odds were decidedly against him, but he remains unfazed.
It’s a Handicap Match at #WWEFastLane!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/pLPfNBh4fR
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) September 26, 2023
This isn’t Cena’s first rodeo at the Fastlane event. Five years ago, Cena participated in a Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Championship. Still, taking on the Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa single-handedly could be a feat too significant for Cena, the so-called WWE GOAT, to accomplish.
Originally, plans reportedly included LA Knight coming to Cena’s aid during the beatdown on SmackDown. This would have been a fitting follow-up to their mutual respect showcased during the Payback event the previous month. But life, or rather, health concerns intervened. Knight tested positive for COVID-19 just hours before the scheduled show, leading to a change in the storyline.
As Fastlane approaches, there’s still a shimmer of hope that LA Knight might recover in time. There’s potential for the match dynamics to shift once again, possibly converting the handicap match into a traditional tag team bout. If Knight isn’t available, WWE might have another trick up its sleeve. The company is known for its dramatic surprises. There are speculations about the potential return of Randy Orton, a star who has a rich history with Cena. Or, maybe, we’ll get a surprise team up with The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, another superstar with unfinished business with The Bloodline, stepping into the fray.
It’s also worth noting that Cena’s recent appearances in WWE suggest more than just a fleeting visit. His confrontations and storylines hint at an extended stay, much to the delight of fans. Cena recently alluded to the possibility of his final WWE match. “Every single chance I get to go out there becomes more and more special,” Cena admitted in a backstage interview. He acknowledged his age and the changing dynamics of the WWE landscape but maintained his trademark “never give up” attitude.
If nothing else, we’re expecting Cena’s match at Fastlane to set up yet another storyline that will carry over to the next PLE, possibly even all the way through WrestleMania 40.
Fastlane’s anticipation has now reached its zenith. Whether Cena finds an ally or faces The Bloodline’s onslaught alone remains to be seen. But given Cena’s resilience and the unpredictable nature of WWE’s storytelling, Fastlane promises to be a spectacle fans won’t want to miss.
