The WWE Universe continues to wait for John Cena’s triumphant return to WWE programming, but they may have to wait a little while longer than originally intended. Cena hasn’t been featured on WWE TV since failing to capture the WWE Championship at WWE No Mercy back in October. He is currently filming the second season of American Grit, but he’s been busy securing other opportunities in Hollywood as well.
According to a report from earlier this week, John Cena is set to star in Kay Cannon’s directorial debut, The Pact. The film follows three parents who learn their daughters have made a pact to lose their virginities on prom night. Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz will be the three parents who unite and try to stop them.
The role will continue Cena’s rise in Hollywood’s comedy genre and secure him a new starring role. There is little news about the filming schedule as of this writing, but it’s fairly obvious that Cena will be forced to take more time away from WWE programming in order to film the movie. However, there could be a bigger issue here because there have been reports about Cena and WWE officials having some tension behind the scenes.
[Image by WWE]
John Cena’s star is on the rise thanks to the work he’s been doing outside of WWE over the past few years, but his commitment to the company has remained very strong. Recently, there have been some reports that may have shed some light on some “friendly tension” between Cena and WWE officials. Apparently, the two sides have been disagreeing on how WWE is treating part-time performers and his return date to WWE TV.
Originally, the belief was that Cena would return to the company during a WWE live event at the end of the year in Madison Square Garden. He may still return for the planned triple threat match between himself, AJ Styles, and Dean Ambrose. However, his hiatus from WWE television could be extended as a result of the new film role for The Pact and that could throw a monkey wrench into the creative plans of WWE officials.
The conflict between John Cena and WWE isn’t said to be serious, but Vince McMahon has apparently told the creative team to start developing new plans for Cena and The Undertaker heading into Wrestlemania 33 next year. On paper, Cena versus Undertaker is the plan for both men heading into Orlando, but that match could be in jeopardy if Cena’s filming schedule causes him to take more time away from WWE television.
[Image by WWE]
There is still a lot of speculation that John Cena could be winning the WWE World Championship for the 16th time at Wrestlemania next year. That is a solid backup plan for him creatively, but he’d likely need to stay on WWE television for some time to help SmackDown and have a lengthy title reign. On paper, that would also mean that Cena would win the WWE Royal Rumble match, which is just around the corner.
However, if John Cena’s commitments to Hollywood are beginning to cause scheduling conflicts with WWE, it’s understandable why there would be some tension between the two parties. Not to mention, Cena’s name is getting a lot more mainstream attention, which means he’s becoming a part-timer in WWE himself.
If he is having disagreements with WWE officials about the way performers like Goldberg and Brock Lesnar are being paid, then his relationship with WWE is going to need to be reevaluated, especially as more movie roles come his way. Ultimately, it’s becoming apparent that John Cena’s time in WWE is coming to an end and many things will change as his success in Hollywood and outside of WWE continues.
[Featured Image by WWE]