WWE has shocked fans across the world by confirming the long awaited Superstar Reborn John Cena appearance in SmackDown, which is his first SmackDown in-ring performance after 3 years.
The 48-year-old megastar who is in the middle of a final tour before finally retiring at the end of 2025, is to wrestle live on June 20 which is thus promising to be one of the most effective returns in WWE history.
This is anticipated to be a highlight of Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 28, where he has been inserted in the intermittent feud between himself and R-Truth that has made his retirement plot even more dramatic.
Ever since the announcement by the WWE that he is getting back on SmackDown, fans have been in an absolute frenzy as a teaser video revealed that he will face a challenger in a match that will end up rocking the blue show to its core.
The announcement heralds a possible final run of Cena on prime-time TV before his festive swan song in Clash in Paris (August 31) and Crown Jewel in Perth (October 11).
A Farewell Fit for a Legend
Besides the ring, there is more to Cena's comeback to WWE programming because it is a new story. He won the record 17th world title at WrestleMania 41 in April later that year after his heel turn.
The turn did more than bring back a darker character, also reviving the chemistry with longtime frenemy CM Punk, who is scheduled to face off at Night of Champions.
With his fight against Punk next weekend, his June 20 return to SmackDown will only increase tensions even more, and potentially seed new rivalries.
In the meantime, the unexpected choice of R-Truth as the opponent of Cena has messed up the parting plot. The recent sting by Truth in using an STF hold which Cena is not used to added new dimensions which turned an otherwise controlled veteran farewell into a chaotic tale.
All these preconditions a very impressive denouement, and that final fight representing Cena at TD Garden in Boston, December, is ahead.