Could Filmed Segment Hint At John Cena's WWE WrestleMania 39 Plans?

WrestleMania season means everyone speculates on matches for regulars and part-time superstars, and John Cena is no different.

Reports have been circulating that the 16-time world champion was initially slated to face Logan Paul at Mania 39 this spring, but a new report from Fightful Select might shine some light on new plans -- and it all has to do with a changed house show main event.

On the 30 December edition of SmackDown, Cena teamed with Kevin Owens to defeat Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn. Fightful has learned that WWE planned to film something with Cena and Austin Theory that day. The United States Champion originally was slated to face Seth Rollins in a steel cage main event at a Toronto house show that night, but he was pulled from the show to travel to Tampa, where SmackDown was filmed.

While it isn't clear whether the segment was for digital or future use or 2K, it was filmed, according to Fightful.

Theory and Cena have crossed paths before, during Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Respect's 20-year celebration in June 2022. It's also worth noting that Theory opened a Raw promo this month by holding his US title aloft and yelling Cena's catchphrase, "The champ is here!"

Theory versus Cena certainly seems like something WWE has on its collective mind, with the June tease, the filmed and not-yet-aired segment, and Austin's little call-out. Whether that materializes as a Mania match will likely come into focus in the coming weeks.