John Cena Deserves Credit For Putting WWE First Says Former Rival
A wrestler who competed against John Cena many times thinks that the WWE legend deserves a lot of credit.
As a record-breaking 17-time WWE World Champion, John Cena may be hated by the fans because of his recent heel turn, but he spent 20+ years as one of the most beloved wrestlers ever.
Part of the reason why Cena’s heel turn makes a lot of sense in WWE storylines is that while he was the clean-cut WWE babyface wrestler, Cena was also booed by a lot of fans that loved to chant “Cena sucks” while the younger crowd loved to chant “Let’s go Cena” during his matches.
John Cena announced in the summer of 2024 that 2025 would be his final year as an in-ring competitor. Those plans aren’t changing even though Cena now holds the WWE Title. The champion has made it clear he’ll retire as the “Last Real Champion” at the end of the year because he is determined not to lose the title.
One of Cena’s greatest rivals and best opponents is former WWE Champion CM Punk. They had legendary matches at Money in the Bank in 2011 and on a Raw episode in February 2013 that Punk called the best match of his career.
While speaking to Tudum by Netflix, Punk talked about being on a similar road as Cena (they are one year apart in age) and said that Cena is somebody who deserves more credit for putting WWE above himself and leading the company for so many years.
“I think me and him are on the same road. We’re [both] closer to the end of our career than we are to the start of it. He’s another guy who doesn’t like talking about himself too much.
John Cena has never asked for anyone to give him any kind of credit, he always put the company before himself, always put others before himself — I think it’s time we give back, say thanks, pat him on the back.”
CM Punk Is Interested In Working With John Cena Again
Since CM Punk returned to WWE in November 2023, he has yet to lock up with Cena in a singles match. However, they did face off in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match and as the final two men in the Elimination Chamber match. Does Punk want to team up with Cena or face him as an opponent? It sounds like he’s interested in either role.
“I feel like it’s my duty to talk about him. Selfishly, I’d love to be a part of [Cena’s farewell tour] in any which way he possibly sees fit. He wants to tag with me, awesome. He wants to lock back up with me, fantastic. But as a fan, I’m just excited to be here to witness it all.”
In his first WWE Title defense since winning the gold at WrestleMania 41, John Cena will defend the WWE Championship against Randy Orton at Backlash on Saturday, May 10th in St. Louis. Here’s the lineup so far:
* Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton
* Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch
* United States Championship: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest vs. LA Knight
* Gunther vs. Pat McAfee
You can watch WWE Backlash, streaming live on Peacock in the U.S. and Netflix internationally from St. Louis at 7 ET/4 PT.