John Cena Reveals the 'Wrestling Soulmates' Who Defined His 23-Year WWE Journey

For years, fans have debated Cena’s greatest rival, with Randy Orton, Edge, and Triple H all in contention for the top spot. Orton and Edge, in particular, were the perfect foil to Cena’s heroic, never-give-up persona at the height of his career. In 2009, Cena and Orton took their feud to its absolute peak, clashing in a string of consecutive pay-per-view WWE Championship matches. 

From Hell in a Cell to “I Quit” to a grueling Iron Man Match, their rivalry became the standard for main-event storytelling of that era. Cena’s battles with Edge date back to 2006, when ‘The Rated-R Superstar’ made history as the first man to cash in Money in the Bank, doing so on Cena at New Year’s Revolution, moments after Cena had survived a brutal Elimination Chamber. 

Their feud delivered countless unforgettable moments, none more iconic than their TLC clash at Unforgiven 2006. That night, Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment from the top of a ladder through two tables, ending Edge’s undefeated streak in the match type.

One notable omission from Cena’s “wrestling soulmates” list is the recently returned Brock Lesnar. While their encounters at Backlash 2003, Extreme Rules 2012, SummerSlam 2014, and the triple threat at Royal Rumble 2015 (also featuring Seth Rollins) are still celebrated by fans, it’s clear Cena doesn’t view ‘The Beast’ with the same personal fondness as the others.

With Edge currently in AEW, the question remains: will Cena share the ring one more time with Rollins or AJ Styles before calling it a career later this year? One name almost certain not to join that list is Logan Paul. The brash former United States Champion will face Cena later this month at Clash in Paris in what promises to be one of the most talked-about matches of his farewell tour.

John Cena weighs in on his final WWE opponent later this year

The WWE Universe knows that John Cena’s legendary run will come to an end this December with his long-awaited retirement match. Having already shared the ring this year with names like Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and R-Truth, the question now turns to who will stand across from the 17-time World Champion in his final bout. 

While fans speculate it could be a new-generation powerhouse like Gunther, Cena has kept quiet on the matter. In his interview with Justin Barrasso, the veteran offered a typically diplomatic response when pressed about his last opponent.

I’ve been doing this for 23 years, and I’ve never once chosen my opponent. I’ve always lived by the philosophy that life will give you opportunities every single day, and you have to do the best you can every single day with what life gives you. So whoever challenges me for that last match, I’m going to give it my best shot.

John Cena via Boston Fan Expo

At WWE SummerSlam 2025, Cena dropped the Undisputed WWE Championship to Rhodes in a 37-minute marathon Street Fight. But the real shock came moments later, when a returning Lesnar stormed the ring and unleashed a vicious post-match assault on ‘The Last Real Champion’, adding yet another dramatic twist to Cena’s farewell tour. 

Now, with Paul next in line at Clash in Paris, all eyes are on Triple H to see what the future holds for the soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer.