In the whirl of John Cena’s ongoing WWE retirement tour, one notable omission has left former WWE Champion The Miz visibly upset: the lack of a final match against Cena himself. Despite their storied history, including a WrestleMania main event between the two, The Miz is “pissed off” that WWE fans aren’t clamoring for the long-anticipated Miz versus Cena bout.
The Miz’s Anguish Over Missing the Cena Farewell Tour
During a candid interview with The Schmo, The Miz openly expressed his frustration over being overlooked for a spot on John Cena’s farewell tour. With Cena’s schedule winding down—only five dates remain—the Miz feels his championship-winning history with Cena justifies a final collision.
“I was happy for AJ Styles, but very angry that it’s AJ Styles versus John Cena and not John Cena versus The Miz,” Miz told Adrian Hernandez. “I beat the guy at WrestleMania in the main event for the WWE Championship, one of the only people ever to do something like that, and I can’t get a match with John Cena”[1][2].
He went further to note the potential fan power that could have pushed the match forward. “All the fans had to do was tweet, go on Instagram, and talk about it. Get it riled up so it would be The Miz versus John Cena one last time. But no—you wanted Randy Orton. You wanted Brock Lesnar. You wanted AJ Styles. You didn’t ask for this guy”[2].
Why Cena’s Retirement Tour Is So Exclusive
John Cena’s retirement tour has focused on revisiting some of his most iconic rivalries, with high-profile matches against Randy Orton, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and most recently, AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel in Australia. Cena’s decision to limit his final matches to a handful of opponents is understandable given that his career spans more than two decades and features landmark bouts with many WWE legends.
Sources close to WWE explain that Cena’s team carefully curated these matches to ensure maximum fan engagement and narrative closure for each feud. According to a WWE insider, “Cena’s retirement tour has been about celebrating his legacy by revisiting his most impactful rivalries, and the opponents were picked based on fan demand and storyline significance”[1].
The Miz’s Case: A Rivalry for the Ages
The Miz argues that his rivalry with Cena also deserves that spotlight, especially given the unique history they share:
- The Miz defeated Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 27 for the WWE Championship—one of Cena’s most memorable losses[1].
- Over the years, the two superstars have engaged in multiple high-profile storylines and matches, shaping both of their careers.
Yet, despite this legacy, The Miz has witnessed others take his place on Cena’s farewell marquee, leading to his public display of disappointment.
Backstage Reactions and Fan Sentiment
Backstage, the mood is mixed. While some sympathize with The Miz’s situation, others note that the WWE Universe’s interest in Cena’s retirement matches has leaned towards legendary opponents who have perhaps overshadowed Miz’s WWE run on a global scale.
A WWE creative team member said anonymously, “The Miz is a great competitor and a big name, but John Cena’s retirement tour is about paying tribute to rivals that defined entire eras, and unfortunately, that list is very short”[1].
Meanwhile, WWE fans have shown divided opinions on social media. Some echo the Miz’s claim, calling for a nostalgic showdown to honor the long feud. Others support the current matchups, praising the AJ Styles bout for rekindling one of the most intense rivalries in recent WWE history.
What’s Next for The Miz?
With Cena’s retirement dates quickly evaporating, The Miz’s hopes for that dream final match dim. However, sources close to the Miz reveal he remains hopeful and is prepared to push for any future opportunities, whether on WWE programming or independent events related to Cena’s farewell.
One insider shared, “The Miz is not one to back down. If there’s a chance for him to have even a short, meaningful encounter with Cena, he’ll pursue it fiercely”[2].
Final Thoughts
The Miz’s public frustration reveals the complexities behind WWE’s booking decisions during momentous career milestones like Cena’s retirement tour. Despite a distinguished wrestling history together, fan demand and storyline priorities appear to have pushed The Miz out of Cena’s farewell spotlight.
Whether the WWE Universe will rally behind a Miz-Cena final chapter remains to be seen, but for now, The Miz’s plea stands as a reminder of his significant yet underappreciated bond with one of WWE’s greatest icons.
