Ghost of John Cena’s past to enter WWE Royal Rumble match after 24 years to eliminate him? Possibility explored
John Cena returned to WWE on Monday Night RAW's historic debut episode on Netflix on January 6, 2025. As expected, Cena wasted no time in announcing that he fancied a record 17th WWE world title run. Cena didn't directly challenge Cody Rhodes, but he roared to the WWE Universe that he would look to take the title through Royal Rumble 2025 which is on February 1, 2025.
However, just as one's past never leaves a person, John Cena too may encounter a ghost from his past on his path to becoming world champion again. It would be his former rival and current Hollywood star The Rock. If The Final Boss enters the Royal Rumble match in 2025, it will be his first Rumble match in 24 years. He last competed in the Men's Royal Rumble in 2001. The year before that, in 2000, he had controversially won after eliminating Big Show.
So how does The Rock bury Cena in his final Royal Rumble match? The Rock may enter the match at number 30. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the TKO Group and may use his authority to give himself the position of the last entrant in the Rumble match. He may then give a Rock Bottom to Cena and eliminate him. Later, The Final Boss may challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The Rock may have shown his appreciation towards Cody Rhodes on RAW this week, but one must not forget that he had told Cody last year, that he would indeed be going after his title at some point.
Even though he teased a slight babyface turn on RAW by hugging Rhodes, The Great One balanced things the very next night at NXT. He has kept his fans guessing if he would be returning for a match at WrestleMania 41, especially against Cody Rhodes. In case he wants to, the only way for The Brahma Bull is to remove John Cena from the title picture and position himself at the top.
John Cena and The Rock may also feud at WrestleMania 41
If The Rock decides to compete at WrestleMania 41, he may either do so against Cody Rhodes or John Cena. There were rumors that he may square off against his cousin Roman Reigns at the grand show this year, but it doesn't seem to be the plan now.
If The Rock eliminates John Cena, then the 16-time WWE world champion might also not stay quiet and may impede The Rock's efforts to reclaim gold from Cody Rhodes. Lest we forget, The Rock also gave a Rock Bottom to Cena at WrestleMania 40 last year, and The Cenation leader hasn't taken revenge for it yet.
Moreover, John Cena and Rock have had two historic duels at WrestleMania a decade back, with one win each. While The Rock defeated Cena at WrestleMania 28, Cena beat him next year at WrestleMania 29 winning the WWE Championship.
12 years down the line, both Cena and Rock are in the last legs of their wrestling careers, and both are aiming to end it on a high note. All eyes are on The Final Boss's possible appearance at Royal Rumble 2025.
