We Missed Out on John Cena vs Drew McIntyre? WWE Fans React to Scrapped Crown Jewel Match

Wrestling fans continue to express disappointment over a highly anticipated matchup that never came to fruition: John Cena versus Drew McIntyre. Despite widespread speculation and McIntyre’s long-standing desire to face the 16-time world champion, the two never squared off in a singles match during Cena’s retirement tour. Recent revelations from McIntyre himself have shed light on what was originally planned—and why it ultimately didn’t happen.

The Original Plan: Cena vs McIntyre for Crown Jewel

According to John Cena’s appearance on the “No-Contest” podcast, the initial plan for WWE’s Crown Jewel event in October 2025 was for him to face Drew McIntyre—not AJ Styles—as part of his retirement tour. Cena revealed that he had tweeted “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles’ name in September 2025, which sparked a massive fan response and reportedly influenced WWE’s creative direction to pivot toward the Styles matchup instead.

McIntyre confirmed these details during a recent appearance at the WWE 2K26 hands-on event in Stamford, stating, “I knew enough… I preserve my head down and keep working no matter what happens. I can’t take his phone and say, ‘Just tweet my name.’” He acknowledged that while he doesn’t choose his opponents, he remains committed to listening to the fans and performing at a high level regardless of creative decisions.

McIntyre’s Reaction: Respect, Not Resentment

Despite missing out on the marquee matchup, Drew McIntyre has consistently praised John Cena’s legacy and influence on the industry. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, McIntyre said, “It’s insane to see that he’s about to have his last couple of matches. I’m sad I didn’t get one of them. But I’m glad I’m part of the roster, I’m glad I got to travel the world, I’m glad I got to learn from John Cena because he is a legend and he might just be the GOAT.”

He further emphasized Cena’s impact, noting, “He’s meant everything to our industry. When The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin left WWE, the top superstars, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, at the end of their career, the company and the world needed somebody to step up into that top position. John stepped up in a massive way for multiple generations.”

Additional Scrapped Plans Revealed

Beyond the Crown Jewel match, McIntyre has indicated that there were other opportunities for a Cena confrontation that never materialized. In interviews with Busted Open Radio and other outlets, he expressed interest in at least having a promo exchange with Cena, noting their 20-year history and shared experiences in tag team matches and triple threats—but never a one-on-one encounter.

McIntyre suggested that internal WWE concerns may have played a role in keeping them apart, stating, “I would have liked one match with him… Maybe somebody was worried.” He referenced past instances where he felt sidelined, including a suspension stemming from a conflict with Cody Rhodes that removed him from contention for certain tournaments.

Fan Reaction and Legacy Implications

The missed opportunity has sparked ongoing discussion among wrestling fans, many of whom view a Cena vs McIntyre match as a dream matchup that never happened. Social media reactions, particularly following Cena’s tweet in September 2025, highlighted the strong fan desire to see the two collide—especially given McIntyre’s reputation as one of WWE’s top heels and promo talents in recent years.

Although Cena’s retirement tour has now concluded with his final matches against Dominik Mysterio and others, the “what if” of a Cena vs McIntyre showdown remains a popular topic in wrestling circles. For McIntyre, the focus remains on continuing to perform at an elite level and earning opportunities through consistent function, regardless of booking decisions.

Key Takeaways

• John Cena originally planned to face Drew McIntyre at WWE Crown Jewel in October 2025 before pivoting to AJ Styles based on fan response to a social media post.
• Drew McIntyre confirmed the original plan but stated he does not control creative decisions and remains focused on performing regardless of opponent.
• McIntyre has praised Cena’s legacy and expressed disappointment at not sharing a singles match, while acknowledging their extensive history in other match formats.
• Additional plans for a Cena-McIntyre confrontation beyond Crown Jewel were reportedly discussed but never realized, with McIntyre hinting at internal WWE hesitation.
• Fans continue to lament the missed opportunity, viewing it as one of the notable “what if” moments in recent WWE history.

While the John Cena vs Drew McIntyre match never came to pass, both athletes have maintained mutual respect, and the storyline remains a significant talking point in the narrative of Cena’s retirement era and McIntyre’s sustained excellence in WWE.