John Cena Returns, Wants WrestleMania In London

WWE pulled off two huge surprises at Money in the Bank 2023, when Drew McIntyre and John Cena both returned to massive reactions inside the O2 Arena in London.

But on an incredibly newsworthy pay-per-view that also featured Ronda Rousey turning on Shayna Baszler, Cena’s return topped them all. The 16-time world champion had reportedly been spotted in London earlier in the week but hadn’t been seen in WWE since losing to Austin Theory at WrestleMania 39 in April.

That has become the norm for Cena, who is the true definition of a part-time star nowadays, but returned to make a blockbuster announcement at Money in the Bank. Well, sort of, kind of.

Although no official announcement was made, Cena made it clear to the fans in the O2 Arena why he was there: To bring WrestleMania to London. Before being interrupted by SmackDown newcomer Grayson Waller, Cena’s promise to help get a WrestleMania overseas was met with a chorus of cheers from the London crowd.

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Arguably the biggest star in WWE history, Cena has been a huge draw for the company during his recent sporadic appearances, and when he shows up, something important tends to happen. In pro wrestling, there is no show bigger—or more important—than WrestleMania, and WrestleMania in London? Well, that’s about as big as it gets.

Prior to Money in the Bank, it had been 20 years since WWE held a PPV in the UK, but the company has been branching out with major international PPVs in recent months. That includes May’s Night of Champions, a record-setting show in Saudi Arabia that continued WWE’s trend of delivering stellar shows outside of the continental US.

Cena’s appearance at Money in the Bank ended when he hit Waller with an Attitude Adjustment to send the fans home happy, but nothing will make those fans happier than the prospects of a WrestleMania in London.

It’s no secret, after all, that London has perhaps the best pro wrestling fan base in the entire world but is starving for a WrestleMania. WWE typically hosts TV shows in the UK every year, but there have only been two major PPVs there since 1992. While WrestleMania 40 will take place from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia in April 2024, England is long overdue for a “Big Four” PPV event, and WrestleMania is, of course, the biggest show of the year.

Now, WWE needs to deliver on Cena’s statement that he is attempting to get WrestleMania in London. If it doesn’t happen? That would be a monumental let down for fans across the world.

But rest assured that if Cena showed up to make that announcement, the wheels are already in motion for an historic WrestleMania show in London. Maybe as soon as WrestleMania 41 in 2025.