WWE Rumors: John Cena Set To Face Major NXT Star In June
John Cena is coming back to the WWE on Memorial Day, and he has been on the talk show circuit promoting it. While Cena is really needed in the WWE for star power, many believe that he actively works to push new talent down and bury future stars. Now, the WWE rumors indicate that one of his opponents, after he returns, is one of the biggest signings in NXT over the last few months. Fox Sports reported on Tuesday that John Cena will battle NXT star Shinsuke Nakamura at a WWE Live show in Hawaii on June 29.
According to Fox Sports, WWE rumors originally started circulating on Monday that Cena and Nakamura could be wrestling each other. On WWE Monday Night Raw on Monday night, the show advertised upcoming local shows in the markets where they will be taking place at. On the Hawaii broadcast, the commercial announced a double main event with Cena fighting Shinsuke and Brock Lesnar battling Kevin Owens.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. John Cena is scheduled to take place at an upcoming live event in Hawaii & Lesnar vs. Owens! pic.twitter.com/fEoB6fZCvX
— PWP Nation (@PWPNation) May 10, 2016
Of course, when it comes to the WWE, what happens at live events is rarely discussed when it comes to on-screen storylines. As a matter of fact, many live house shows will book matches to either help two wrestlers practice against each other for an upcoming match or they use them to gauge the crowd excitement about that match, which could be the case with Shinsuke. A third match rumored for the live show is WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte against NXT Women’s Champion Asuka.
John Cena is easily the most popular star in the WWE today, and there could be arguments that he is the best of all time based on his longevity in the company. However, Shinsuke is one of the biggest stars to ever wrestle in Japan. Nakamura is one of the few new stars who has been allowed to keep his name when joining NXT because of his worldwide drawing power. Shinsuke is also one of the hardest striking wrestlers in the world today, so a match against John Cena is interesting.
.@JohnCena Possibly Facing Shinsuke Nakamura Next Month In Hawaii, @BrockLesnar Vs… https://t.co/SeggcuETpg
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) May 10, 2016
Before Cena underwent surgery and missed the last few months, he held the United States Championship. While John was the champion, he invited all who wanted a chance to fight him week after week on WWE Monday Night Raw. During this time, John wrestled former NXT Champion Neville, NXT star Sami Zayn, and, on one the most memorable occasions, Kevin Owens made his presence known during his main roster debut.
Owens ended up going 1-2 against John Cena, but the fact that he beat Cena in his first main roster match solidified him as a star. Sami Zayn also looked like a major star in his loss to Cena, and if it wasn’t for an injured shoulder suffered during the match with John, Zayn could have immediately moved up in the WWE after that match.
Interestingly, Shinsuke Nakamura made his WWE NXT debut against Sami Zayn at NXT Takeover: Dallas. This event took place two nights before WrestleMania 32 and saw Shinsuke beat Zayn. Two days later, Zayn was in the Intercontinental Championship ladder match at WrestleMania 32 and made his move to the main roster. Since Nakamura beat Zayn on his way out, it made Shinsuke an instant NXT star.
Recent comments that Wrestle Zone reported by Jim Cornette made it sound like Shinsuke Nakamura’s chances at success were limited. These latest WWE rumors might indicate otherwise.
Now, it looks like the WWE will be sending out NXT talent to tour with the main roster talent on the upcoming live shows. With Asuka fighting the WWE Women’s Champion and Shinsuke Nakamura getting a chance to shine against the best wrestler to compete in the WWE over the last decade, both these NXT stars have a chance to shine. If the WWE is as serious about the “New Era” as they make it sound on TV, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. John Cena could make a brand new star.
[Photo via WWE]
