John Cena's Best Options for 1st-Time Feuds Upon WWE Return
No star on the WWE roster creates more anticipation with his every appearance than John Cena, the face of the company for over a decade now. Due to his rising mainstream popularity, Cena has been away from the product since WrestleMania 33, building excitement for what he could do next once he returns.
On July 4, Cena will make his TV return to SmackDown Live; however, WWE has also announced he is a free agent going forward, allowed to appear on both brands. As Cena takes this time off, the roster constantly changes with more top stars on both brands than ever before ready to face off with The Face That Runs the Place for the first time.
.jpg?w=256)
A feud with Cena can often be a rite of passage for performers. Edge, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins all became top stars in WWE thanks to their battles with Cena, which were among the best matches these wrestlers have ever had.
In an era where first-time matches become more and more of an irregularity due to the need for interesting bouts to fill five hours of WWE television each week, all these potential first-time encounters would be a breath of fresh air that could help make top stars and give future WWE events great matches to headline.
From WWE Champion Jinder Mahal to Raw's top guy Roman Reigns, these are the four best options that The Leader of the Cenation could wrestle in the near-future for the first time.
Jinder Mahal
The closest Cena has ever been to fighting Mahal one-on-one was in a three-minute six-man tag team match where Mahal was just there to take a Five Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment. Both men have evolved since that time—especially Mahal, who is now WWE champion with two victories over Randy Orton.
The Modern Day Maharaja may not be the greatest performer yet, but he has easily taken to his new role with the presentation that makes him feel like a main event star. If WWE means to continue to push Mahal as one of SmackDown's biggest heels, a feud with Cena is a necessity to test his ability as a performer.
The story would be fairly simple as it is not the first time Cena has battled a wrestler defined by his foreign heritage. Cena considers himself a true American, a paragon of the values that the USA stands for. With The Maharaja repeatedly disparaging the fans and the U.S., Cena should have no choice but to stand up to Mahal, especially with the WWE Championship hanging in the balance.
Braun Strowman
WWE loves to pair Cena with the biggest monsters in WWE, as he has had multiple feuds with Big Show—not to mention his clashes with Kane and The Great Khali. Braun Strowman is made from that same mold but may be the first with the chance to battle Cena in his prime, with Strowman only now fully showcasing his speed and intensity.
Strowman has recently had great matches with Big Show, Reigns and Sami Zayn, but he is still fresh to the main event scene. Cena would be another challenge, helping showcase Strowman as a dominant force.
Cena's strength has always been well documented, and it would make him one of the rare performers that could match up to Strowman blow for blow.
The Monster Among Men has unfinished business with Reigns and will likely turn to Brock Lesnar soon, but there will always be an easy story to tell with Cena and Strowman. Strowman has shown no fear in targeting the biggest stars to get ahead in WWE, and Cena would be no different with Strowman attempting to use Cena as a stepping stone to future title contention.
Shinsuke Nakamura
When Shinsuke Nakamura first signed with WWE, no potential match was talked about more than Nakamura vs. Cena. Even Nakamura himself on Talk is Jericho named Cena as the opponent he most wants to face in WWE. With two of the most charismatic stars of this generation going at it, this would be a WrestleMania-worthy main event.
Nakamura has not always worked at his best in WWE, but he has a proven track record outside of the company for quality bouts on the biggest stages. If there is one match that will get Nakamura working at 100 percent, it would be a bout with Cena. Cena has never faced an opponent like Nakamura, but he has rarely failed to adapt to anyone he is in the ring with.
This may be the hardest story to tell with both men faces right now, but Cena and Nakamura's real respect for one another could be the driving force. Nakamura once challenged Finn Balor, Mr. NXT, to prove he was worthy of a NXT Championship shot. He may feel the need to challenge Mr. WWE before he gets his first WWE Championship opportunity.
Roman Reigns
It is a wonder WWE has kept Roman Reigns away from Cena this long. For the past few years, Reigns has been close to the top star on either brand, main eventing three straight WrestleManias. Still, Cena remains the company's biggest moneymaker. A battle between these two is just about the biggest match WWE could produce.
Reigns has an impressive track record in the ring and works the type of fast and hard-hitting style that has always brought out the best in Cena. It would be surprising if the first time these two battled it was not a match-of-the-year contender, especially with the time it will be given to deliver.
Reigns and Cena have been building this feud for years already with jabs at one another on social media. Cena has repeatedly challenged anyone in the New Era to step up and prove themselves against him, while Reigns has claimed the WWE as his yard without ever going through the best in the business. Even if the two are both faces, this rivalry would be heated from the first time the two locked eyes.
.jpg?w=480)
