John Cena Sees Similarities Between Solo Sikoa & Umaga

John Cena has had his hands full with The Bloodline while noting that despite their greatness, they also have problems too.

When John Cena came back on a weekly basis to WWE SmackDown over a month ago, it was expected to last for about two months and perhaps more. The fact that there’s an ongoing SAG actor’s strike is a big reason why Cena’s schedule is free these days, so he’s happy to spend time with his WWE “family.”

Over the past few weeks, Cena has been dealing with The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa along with Paul Heyman. While Jimmy has been removed from The Bloodline in the past, he appears to be back in with the group again. Two weeks ago on Smackdown, The Bloodline took out Cena’s tag team partner AJ Styles and left Cena laying to end the show.

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, LA Knight came to Cena’s aid and signed a contract to be Cena’s tag team partner against Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa at the WWE Fastlane PLE this Saturday in Indianapolis.

One of Cena’s biggest WWE rivals when he was WWE Champion was Umaga, who is Rikishi’s brother and the uncle of Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa. Sadly, Umaga passed away in 2009 at the age of 36. As WWE fans know, Umaga used the Samoan Spike (taped thumb) as a signature move and Solo has been using it as a tribute to his uncle.

During an appearance on WWE’s The Bump, Cena spoke about how Solo Sikoa reminds him of Umaga.

“The striking parallel that he runs to Umaga in every facet. To be put in that conversation is rarefied air. Solo is a bit of a conundrum, but when I see him and I see him perform, I think of the hard fought battles I had with Umaga and the parallels.”

When asked if Solo Sikoa is too loyal to The Bloodline, Cena seemed to understand why that is.

“Man, you’re talking to the guy who has hustle, loyalty, and respect branded on everything he puts out there. I never fault loyalty, I do fault blind loyalty. Solo’s really new to the game, I don’t blame him for trying to take a second to figure out the landscape.”

John Cena will appear on three WWE shows in five nights

The WWE schedule is a busy one for John Cena in the days ahead. Cena will be on tonight’s Smackdown in St. Louis on the final episode of the blue brand’s show before Fastlane.

Saturday night at WWE Fastlane in Indianapolis, Cena will team with LA Knight against Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso.

In addition to that, we found out this past Tuesday that Cena will be on NXT next week. Cena will be in the corner of former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes for his match against Bron Breakker, who will have Paul Heyman in his corner. The reason WWE is loading up that episode of NXT is because AEW Dynamite is on Tuesday next week, so WWE is trying to put on a huge show to make viewers more interested in watching the NXT product.