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This Saturday night, wrestling fans will be treated to a high-stakes match as Austin Theory defends his United States Championship against the legendary 16-time World Champion, John Cena, at WrestleMania 39. Although "The Now" ultimately earned the opportunity to face the 20-year WWE veteran and "Peacemaker" star, recent reports from Fightful Select reveal that he wasn't the only superstar vying for the coveted spot.
It's worth noting that John Cena has stated he doesn't choose his opponents for such events. However, Fightful reports that several top talents within WWE have been keen on securing a WrestleMania match against Cena since last summer.
Saturday's showdown with Austin Theory marks Cena's first singles match in front of a live audience at WrestleMania since his 2018 defeat to The Undertaker in under three minutes.
Cena's WrestleMania Opponents Shift
At one point, some WWE insiders pushed Cody Rhodes to face Cena.
However, by August, Rhodes' storyline with Roman Reigns had essentially been set in motion, sidelining any plans for a Cena-Rhodes match-up. Interestingly, internal WWE documents from the fall indicated Logan Paul as Cena's potential opponent, while Austin Theory still needed to be listed for a match.
By December, the landscape had shifted, and Austin Theory emerged as Cena's chosen opponent, while Logan Paul's WrestleMania path led him to a match with Seth Rollins. This rapid change of plans highlights the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of WWE's booking decisions.
For a bit of trivia, the last time John Cena competed in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania in front of a live audience, with the previous promotion being at WrestleMania 31 in 2015. His opponent that evening was none other than Rusev.
The road to WrestleMania 39 has seen numerous superstars vie for the opportunity to face John Cena in a high-profile match. Though Austin Theory ultimately secured the coveted spot, names like Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul were also considered at various times.
As fans eagerly anticipate the United States Championship match this Saturday, it's fascinating to look back at the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and changes that led to this much-anticipated showdown.
