JOHN CENA has confirmed “he’ll be in the neighbourhood” for WrestleMania 36 in Tampa as he looks set for a WWE comeback.
The 16-time world champion, a joint-record with Ric Flair, is one of the biggest legends to ever step foot in the ring.
Ever since his debut on SmackDown against Kurt Angle as a fresh-faced youngster in June 2002, the 42-year-old has been one of the top draws whether performing as his Dr of Thuganomics or Leader of the Cenation persona.
But the West Newbury, Massachusetts-native has reverted to only a part-time role over recent years to concentrate on his movie career.
And his Hollywood success is proving to be just as big as his in-ring accomplishments.
Cena, who is due to start filming for his role in upcoming movie Suicide Squad 2, only appeared once for a special Raw Reunion episode on WWE TV in 2019 since his shock comeback as the Dr. of Thuganomics at WrestleMania 35.
And that meant it was the first calendar year he had failed to wrestle in a match on a pay-per-view throughout a calendar year.
But the future Hall of Famer has long reiterated that he will never retire from WWE – and now he has dropped the biggest hint yet he could make his long-awaited comeback at the Showcase of the Immortals on April 5.
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Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he said: “This is the first time in 15 years, or maybe more, that I haven’t been on a WWE pay-per-view in a calendar year.
“I’ve officially moved elsewhere. I’m not a regular player.
“I’ve been proud of the effort I’ve put forth, and I want to make sure I’m never put in a position where paying customers look at the effort and say, ‘Eh, he’s sticking around because he’s greedy.’”
When quizzed directly on a return, Cena added: “I always like for them to give me ideas and make it my own.
“I know we have a small, large event called WrestleMania around the corner. It just so happens to be in Tampa. That’s kinda where I live, so I’ll be in the neighbourhood.
“Suicide Squad should be done. But it’s not like I call someone up and be like, ‘I wanna be in WrestleMania.’ Those spots are very coveted.
“There are performers that work all year, 250 shows a year, to earn one of those spots. I would love to earn one of those spots.”
Cena has competed on a mega 14 WrestleMania shows over the years but over recent times he has taken on a lesser role at the Showcase Of The Immortals.
He took part in a short mixed tag match at WrestleMania 33, then he had an unscheduled squash match against The Undertaker a year later before his attack on Elias in April 2019.
Cena’s last WWE match took place on the January 14 edition of Monday Night Raw.
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