"It would be the honor of my life" - 12-time WWE champion wants retirement match with John Cena
A popular WWE Superstar has expressed his desire to face John Cena during the latter's Farewell Tour next year. The name in question is Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
The Cenation Leader announced his retirement from WWE during his surprise appearance at the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event. In the post-show press conference, Cena revealed that 2025 would be his final year as an in-ring performer as he announced his Farewell Tour for the same year.
During his appearance at this year's Fanatics Fest in New York City, Cody Rhodes was asked if he wanted to face John Cena in the latter's return match. The American Nightmare praised the 16-time World Champion while claiming he learned a lot from Cena back in the day.
The former AEW star added it would be an honor to compete against the veteran, with Rhodes referring to Cena as The GOAT.
"Guys, let's hear it for John Cena. We get to live in this era. [...] He is definitely a man of his word. When he says it's farewell, it truly is farewell. So, if you've [not] got the Farewell Tour T-shirt, go and get it. I drove around John for a year, and I learned everything I possibly could. [I] didn't realize I was learning so much at the time. It would be the honor of my life to wrestle John Cena in any capacity. He's the GOAT for a reason," he said. [From 0:14 to 1:00]
Check out Cody Rhodes' comments in the video below:
Another former WWE champion wants to lock horns with John Cena
Just like Cody Rhodes, four-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn also wants to share the squared circle with Cena during his Farewell Tour.
In an interview on the Cheap Heat podcast with Peter Rosenberg, the former Bloodline member stated that he would love to wrestle John Cena, especially for the Intercontinental Championship. Zayn mentioned he wanted to see the Hollywood star win his record 17th World Championship.
"If I get that opportunity, I would love to wrestle him [John Cena] in 2025. I would love it. And, if it is for the Intercontinental Championship, if I'm still holding it, or even if I lose it and win it back by then, I would love to be a part of that story. [...] On another side of it, as a fan, I would love to see him get that 17th World Championship. I think he's the guy who should do it," Zayn said. [From 11:00 onwards]
Sami Zayn failed to recapture the Intercontinental Championship he lost at SummerSlam as Bron Breakker defeated him in a back-and-forth 2-out-of-3 falls title match on the August 12 edition of RAW. It remains to be seen what lies ahead for the Canadian Superstar.