WWE News: John Cena vs. Samoa Joe match cancelled, Roman Reigns announced as replacement
What's the story?
Last week we reported that the WWE had announced a dream match for their Madison Square Garden show, with John Cena set to take on Samoa Joe.
However, it appears the WWE has now changed their mind as they've announced a different match, with a different opponent for John Cena, Roman Reigns.
In case you didn't know...
John Cena and Samoa Joe have a storied history, both working for Ultimate Pro Wrestling in the early 2000's, and yet they've never wrestled each-other on television, only finding themselves face-to-face one in the WWE, at a house show.
John Cena vs. Samoa Joe wasn't the only match announced for the WWE LIVE show at Madison Square Garden on Boxing Day. Also announced was The Shield vs. The BAR and Bray Wyatt, as well as Kane vs Braun Strowman.
The heart of the matter
It now looks like the John Cena vs Samoa Joe match has been cancelled, as well as the Shield match, with several changes being made to the match card for the show, as detailed on the MSG website. The three announced matches are now as follows,
JOHN CENA VS. ROMAN REIGNS
– FIRST TIME EVER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN –
SETH ROLLINS & DEAN AMBROSE VS. SHEAMUS & CESARO
– STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR THE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP –
BRAUN STROWMAN VS. KANE
Naturally, the Shield match had to change because Reigns was removed for the match with Cena, but at the moment it's unclear why the WWE has made the decision to drop the advertised match between Cena and Joe, but as always, cards are subject to change.
What's next?
We will get to see John Cena and Samoa Joe sort-of facing each other in the ring when Survivor Series rolls around as they are on opposing teams at the pay-per-view. John Cena was the final surprise entrant to Shane McMahon's Team SmackDown LIVE, and Samoa Joe was chosen by Kurt Angle after a prolonged brawl with Finn Balor.
Author's take
As I won't be at the house show in Madison Square Garden or able to see it on television I can't really say that I'm disappointed in the change.
All I can say is that my personal preference would be to see Samoa Joe and not Roman Reigns take on John Cena.