John Cena will be back in the ring next week (Picture: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
John Cena will keep his WWE record alive when he wrestles on the December 30 episode of SmackDown.
The 16-time world champion may have swapped the wrestling ring for Hollywood over the past few years, but he’ll see out 2022 with a bang as he ensures he’s had a match ever year since his 2002 debut.
Next Friday, Cena will team with Kevin Owens against The Bloodline duo of Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn in a blockbuster main event.
Although the legendary star is yet to really comment on the bout, he’s been in touch with KO in the buildup and it seems he’s excited to get back between the ropes.
Appearing on Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenburg, Owens revealed: ”We text here and there but it’s really silly stuff, He’s very excited.
‘In fact, the last text I got from him was “I LOVE WRESTLING” in all caps unprompted. I think it was like 1am too.’
Kevin Owens sees similarities between himself and Cena (Picture: WWE)
KO admitted it’s ‘surreal’ getting the chance to team with Cena in such a high profile match against the Tribal Chief and Sami, with the latter being Owens’ real life best friend for the past couple of decades.
There’s also a lot of history there, as Owens made his main roster debut by responding to Cena’s United States Championship open challenge in May 2015 before beating him at Elimination Chamber.
The pair feuded until July that year, and Owens was impressed by the star’s passion for the art of wrestling.
‘I saw in John Cena what I was myself, but I saw it as this guy doesn’t need to be doing any of this, he just wants to do it,’ he recalled.
‘Now we get to team on the last SmackDown of the year, it’s just another thing I can add to the list of experiences I’ve had in WWE that are surreal and that I’m so thankful for.’
WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.
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The champ is back next week.
