Scrapped History-Changing WWE Plans For John Cena Confirmed By Paul Heyman

John Cena recently revealed in a podcast a major last-minute change of plans by WWE in 2021.

John Cena retired from wrestling in December 2025 after tapping out in his final match to Gunther’s sleeperhold.

The Cenation leader has cemented his status as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and, within that legacy, has held 17 World Titles.

His 17th World Title win came at WrestleMania 41 last year when he defeated Cody Rhodes. But in an appearance on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, The Champ revealed that WWE had initially planned for Cena to win his 17th World Title at SummerSlam 2021.

However, the finish to his match against Roman Reigns for the title was changed at the last minute when the company secured Brock Lesnar for an appearance late on the same day.

Cena was told that Reigns would win the bout and retain the title, and Lesnar would then attack Cena after the match. The WWE Icon then told the hosts to ask Paul Heyman for the full story.

WWE Legend Paul Heyman Verifies John Cena’s Claims About 17th World Title

When Heyman appeared on the No-Contest Wrestling pod, the hosts asked him about Cena’s statements.

Heyman verified it, saying that whatever John Cena says should be considered Biblical, as the Leader of the Cenation has no reason to lie or brag about anything and tells it like it is.

If I have to verify something that’s said by John Cena, I will tell you this. The fact that it comes out of John Cena’s mouth should be accepted as if it were biblical. Uh, that man number one has no reason to lie. No reason to boast, no reason to brag. Yes, that was the plan. And yes, it changed on that day.

Heyman then gushed overthe fact that Cena called Heyman his mentor during his appearance on the podcast. The Oracle went on to say that although he was flattered that he was acknowledged as Cena’s teacher, he still learns a lot from Cena, his student, and has deep respect for him.

I watched the podcast with John Cena. For him to call me a mentor is very flattering to me, but this is when the teacher learns more from the student than the student does from the teacher. I learn every time I have a conversation with John Cena. And I aspire to be a man worthy of the respect that I have for John Cena

As Cena enjoys retirement, Heyman is active on WWE TV weekly and currently manages The Vision Faction on Raw and Brock Lesnar. His faction is also going through a rough patch as both Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker of The Vision are now injured and will be out of action indefinitely, leading WWE to change many of their initial plans for WrestleMania.

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