"You're the reason my WWE career didn't take off" - 39-year-old's idea for John Cena's 2025 Retirement Tour
John Cena was infamous at one point in his WWE career for his "Superman" character and how the creative team booked him to go over up-and-coming wrestlers in the company. In other words, he buried other talents.
One of the names who was deeply affected by Cena's reign at the top of the mountain was Zack Ryder, who performs as Matt Cardona now on the independent circuit.
Speaking to SEScoops recently, Matt Cardona has once again reiterated his desire to face John Cena one last time. The two men were involved in a storyline in 2012 with Eve Torres and WWE Hall of Famer, Kane, where Cena wound up getting intimate with Eve, who was Cardona's on-screen girlfriend. However, the angle did not have a payoff that benefitted the former United States Champion in any way.
Cardona feels that with the way WWE functions as a company today, a match between him and Cena could easily be put together, either as a one-night affair or as part of a longer storyline.
"All those posts that I'm making on social media, they're not BS. I would love to wrestle John Cena one last time. I think with the way WWE is now, it's something that could happen where I could just walk in, whether it be for one day, or make a return. [...] I think, Zack Ryder vs. John Cena, those matches were fine. They were what they were. John Cena vs. Matt Cardona, that's that's where the story is, right?" he said.
Moreover, he felt there was a very interesting angle that the two of them could work with. Cardona suggested a possible storyline where he complains that Cena was the reason his WWE career did not take off and he was back for retribution.
"Because you could play it so many different ways. Matt Cardona could say, 'John, you're the reason my WWE career didn't take off.' There's so many things that we could play into," he added.
Matt Cardona also admitted in the interview that John Cena was someone who had helped him a lot in his career.
Matt Cardona is confident about his popularity among the WWE Universe
After leaving World Wrestling Entertainment, Matt Cardona worked hard in the independent scene and made a name for himself. He has repeatedly expressed an interest in returning to the Stamford-based promotion, although there are some conditions he has.
Regarding a contest against John Cena right after a return to the company, Cardona feels that so long as he maintains his cocky persona, people would buy into it.
"See, I know that if I walked through the door to WWE, surprise or not, I'd get a reaction. I'm not some guy who just like wants this next run; I know that if I come out and call this cocky, I know I'd get a reaction. I know it'd be great. [...] So I think John Cena vs. Matt Cardona would be magical, and I'm very, very happy he gets to go out on his own terms," said Cardona.
In March, Matt Cardona made a shocking appearance on AEW Collision to challenge then TNT Champion, Adam Copeland to a match. This was also a dream match for Cardona, who disclosed later that The Rated-R Superstar was the one who made it possible.
Cena and Cardona's peer, Nic Nemeth, formerly Dolph Ziggler, recently brought up some names who should face the veteran in his Retirement Tour next year.