Explained: THAT Firefly Fun House Match From WrestleMania 36

John Cena WrestleMania 36
WWE.com

Wyatt alluded to this when introducing us to the match. The portal that led out of the presumed, metaphysical Fun House was in fact a portal into John Cena's mind. He welcomed us to a world where our darkest urges were no longer kept secret.

"Who are we, really, and why do we do the things that we do?" Wyatt asked. This was the challenge set to John Cena. In the build, Cena wondered aloud what a Firefly Fun House match was. There was never a match.

Even if this critique is generous - it seems a bit much to compare it to pioneering psychology and cult classic TV, given just how abysmal WWE's handling of the character has been since the summer cooled - this wasn't some cobbled-together, postmodern bullsh*t exercise. WWE, through a delightfully unhinged medium, just told one of its most powerful stories and executed perhaps its biggest-ever What if?

As Cena stepped out of the door, he was greeted by Vince McMahon in puppet form. Vince asked him if he had the quality of "ruthless aggression" to succeed in this company, as Wyatt cosplayed as Kurt Angle in an echo of his debut. In a tremendous sight gag, the Cena of old returned with the new Cena's hair. In front of the old SmackDown fist, he wore trunks inspired by the Florida Gators, sucking up to no crowd. This was an empty gesture towards empty seats; a visual cue as to the cynicism at Cena's core. Cena missed Wyatt, time and again, as he tried to emulate the slap that would eventually launch his career. Wyatt taunted him with Nikki Bella's theme music in a very cute update on the "missed me!" gag.

The scene then morphed into a parody of Saturday Night's Main Event as the first comparison was drawn between John Cena and Hulk Hogan.

CONT'D...(2 of 5)

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!