For the first time in 13 years, John Cena will not participate in a WrestleMania.
In helping WWE to make Tuesday’s announcement that WrestleMania 33 will be held at the Orlando Citrus Bowl in Florida on April 2, 2017, the veteran superstar confirmed that he will not compete at next month’s WrestleMania 32, slated for April 3 at ATT Stadium.
The reason? Well, Cena is coming off a shoulder injury and surgery earlier this year and continues to recover, but with such a short window until the “Grandest Stage of Them All,” he just can’t make it in time, marking the first WrestleMania he will miss in 13 years after making his debut at the “Show of Shows” back in 2004.
That being said, you’d never be sold on Cena sitting this WrestleMania out by looking at his Twitter account, where he continues to tweet as if he’s going to defy the injury and step into the squared circle in less than a month, anyway.
This was his tweet Tuesday.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”-Walt Disney I REALLY like this quote #WrestleMania32 #NeverGiveUp
— John Cena (@JohnCena) March 8, 2016
It even got more cryptic on Wednesday.
Sometimes that last little push for you to achieve the impossible needs a little antagonism, even if it’s self inflicted #NeverGiveUp #WM32
— John Cena (@JohnCena) March 9, 2016
However, just because he won’t be wrestling on April 3, that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact before the ATT Stadium crowd, which is expected to top 100,000 raucous fans. Think about it like this — leading up to this WrestleMania, all the rumored reports had Cena slated to face the Undertaker. Hell, Cena even teased to it himself via Instagram. That would serve as a setup for the WWE Universe learning that, to its shock — and delight — none other than Shane McMahon would be challenging the Dead Man instead.
That being said, Cena possibly interfering in that match to pave the way for him facing Taker at WrestleMania 33 is definitely possible, isn’t it?
Hey, a long-awaited heel-turn would give Cena’s career a boost.