Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, it was revealed that John Cena would team up with Kevin Owens to face Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn on the December 30 episode of the blue brand. There was already confirmation that Cena would appear on the year-closing broadcast of the long-running show, but the fact that he will wrestle has gotten fans incredibly excited.
SURPRISE! @FightOwensFight has found a tag team partner for his match against @WWERomanReigns and @SamiZayn for the DEC. 30th episode of #SmackDown….
and his name is @JohnCena! đ„ pic.twitter.com/sYclbnE5cW
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022
Also, given he will play a part in the ongoing Bloodline-Owens-Zayn storyline, one that has become incredibly over and turned Zayn into the best part of WWE TV, fans can’t wait to see him return to action. However, that is not the only reason to be excited about John Cena return.
It will be the 16-time world champion’s first match in 2022, with fans last seeing him in action on WWE television at SummerSlam 2021 where unsuccessfully challenged Roman Reigns for his Universal Championship. This means the December 30 episode of SmackDown will ensure Cena has competed for WWE every year since making his main roster debut in 2002, which is quite an incredible feat.
John Cena receives major praise
As Styles himself admitted, he wasnât so sure about wrestling Cena due to criticsâ, fansâ, and his own preconceived notions about the 16-time World Championâs in-ring performances. However, the current Hollywood star won over his contemporaries in the course of their fantastic feud.

In an interview with the Halftime Show, Styles revealed that Cena âsurprisedâ him with his in-ring acumen since he was ânot known for being a technical mastermind in the ring.â
â[Cena is] just goodâthereâs no way to say it. He knows what heâs doing. Again, itâs just one of those things where you thought, âIâm the superior wrestler in the ring.â But once you get in there with John Cena, you realize, âWell, okay, I didnât know that. Letâs keep going.â Heâs pretty good (h/t WrestlingIncâs Phil Hall).â
Cena was still the undoubted top dog in WWE when Styles debuted in the 2016 Royal Rumble, and there is no doubt that their legendary trilogy of bouts helped legitimize the latter in the eyes of management and fans. In fact, it can be argued that they remain Stylesâ best matches in his WWE career.