16-Time WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena wrestled in the opening match of WrestleMania 39 – Night 1.
Cena lost to United States Champion Austin Theory. Theory actually tapped out during the match, but the referee was knocked out during this time.
Theory took advantage of the situation and low-blowed Cena, then hit his finisher to retain his Title and pick up the biggest win of his career.
This was Cena’s first appearance at WrestleMania since 2020. Make-A-Wish kids, who wanted to go to WrestleMania, were on the stage during Cena’s entrance.
During an interview on The Wrestling Time Machine, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long wasn’t happy with Cena’s performance against Theory and said the following:
“I’m just old school and I just always believe in doing business, and I just don’t think Cena did business.
I don’t know this, but I feel that Cena is basically going to spend the rest of his career on Hollywood doing movies and stuff.
I don’t want to say this, but I don’t think his heart is in wrestling like it used to be. He’s thinking ahead to the movies and stuff now.
If you want to go and do something else, nothing’s wrong with that. Further your career, do better, I’m for that all the way. But, don’t forget where you come from.
Back in the day, a guy that was in the territory, if he was going to leave for a good bit, then he would always leave the guy that’s left in the territory strong.
I think he could have had a way better match with the kid than he did because I’ve seen him work in the ring before.”
According to The Wrestling Blog, there’s a backstage feeling in WWE that they wasted Cena’s loss at WrestleMania 39, as Theory hasn’t looked stronger after his win over Cena.
Theory is scheduled to lose the US Title soon, and many feel he’ll lose it to LA Knight.
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