Wrestling icon Rob Van Dam just dropped some huge news for fans — he was in serious talks with WWE about a potential match against John Cena as part of Cena’s year-long farewell tour!
RVD revealed the scoop on TMZ’s wrestling podcast, Inside the Ring, sharing that discussions were ongoing before he suffered a double heel fracture during a recent match — putting the anticipated showdown on pause.
“Things happen for a reason,” RVD told TMZ, taking the setback in stride while reflecting on his wrestling career.
RVD says he was in talks with WWE to have a match against John Cena during Cena's retirement tour before RVD's injury.
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) September 9, 2025
“Let me tell you this, I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena and his retirement tour. I was talking to them. There was a lot of interest;… pic.twitter.com/tiR566TQ47
Why This Match Had Fans Hyped
John Cena’s farewell tour has been a must-see event, featuring clashes with legends past and present like CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and an upcoming mega showdown with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.
A rematch with RVD would have been especially electric. The two first clashed back in 2006 at ECW: One Night Stand, with the WWE Championship on the line. That iconic battle saw a raucous crowd test Cena’s patience, throwing middle fingers and cheering every high-flying maneuver from RVD.
The 2006 clash remains one of RVD’s biggest career highlights, and fans were eager to see history repeat itself before his injury intervened.
RVD on His Injury and Wrestling Philosophy
Despite the missed opportunity, RVD isn’t dwelling on the setback. The former WWE champion emphasizes resilience, focusing on his career’s highs and embracing the unpredictability of the sport.
During the podcast, he also weighed in on current wrestling controversies, including a recent tweet defending Matt Riddle amidst backlash over his comments about CM Punk and AJ Lee — proving he still keeps a finger on the pulse of the wrestling world.
A Farewell Tour Without RVD
While fans will have to wait (or potentially never see this dream matchup), Rob Van Dam remains a one-of-a-kind performer, whose legacy of high-flying moves and unforgettable matches continues to influence WWE and beyond.
Catch the full RVD interview on TMZ’s Inside the Ring, available on all major podcast platforms, where he shares even more behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on wrestling history.
💬 Could RVD vs. Cena still happen in WWE? Drop your predictions in the comments and share your favorite RVD moment!
