John Cena, one of WWE’s most iconic superstars, recently revealed a dream WrestleMania scenario that would thrill fans across generations: a main event match against WWE Hall of Famer André the Giant. Speaking at Fan Expo Chicago, Cena expressed that if he had the chance to go back in time, he would want to share the WrestleMania spotlight with the legendary giant.
The Mythical Legacy of André the Giant
André the Giant’s name resonates deeply not only as a towering physical presence but as a near-mythical figure in professional wrestling history. Standing over seven feet tall and weighing around 500 pounds, André was one of WWE’s earliest global superstars and the inaugural inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993[7]. Cena described André as “the measuring stick” for any wrestler aiming to leave a lasting impact in the sport. According to Cena, the folklore surrounding André goes beyond his immense size—it represents the essence and spirit of wrestling’s golden era:
“The folklore behind André the Giant is mythical, both in his physical presence and within the fraternity of the Brotherhood of Wrestling,” Cena shared. “He was a global phenomenon, and selfishly, that’s who I’d want to face”[2].
Cena’s Childhood Connection and Inspiration
Cena’s admiration for André is deeply personal. Growing up, André was one of Cena’s idols, especially because of his legendary WrestleMania III match against Hulk Hogan—the moment Cena calls his favorite of all time[3][5]. That event not only helped define WWE’s rise to prominence but also inspired Cena’s own path in the industry.
The iconic image of Hulk Hogan body-slamming André, one of the most significant moments in wrestling lore, gave young Cena goosebumps and cemented the ideal of larger-than-life storytelling through wrestling. This moment influenced Cena’s signature storytelling style, pitting the battling underdog against immensely imposing giants, a formula reminiscent of Hogan’s career in the ’80s[3].
Imagining the Dream Match: What Could Have Been?
Wrestling insiders and fans alike speculate that a Cena vs. André match would have been a legendary showdown of eras—a clash blending André’s colossal presence and aura with Cena’s blend of technical skill, resilience, and charisma. Such a bout could have followed the classic David versus Goliath narrative, which Cena has successfully replicated in his own career, notably through his rivalries with other massive opponents like Big Show (Paul Wight)[3].
Backstage sources close to WWE hint that Cena’s fascination with André is not just nostalgia but also reflects his understanding of the importance of legacy and storytelling in wrestling:
“John really sees André as the ultimate benchmark—someone who transcended wrestling and became almost a mythical figure. For him, working with André would have been the ultimate test of his own legacy,” shared a WWE insider familiar with Cena’s outlook.
WrestleMania’s History of Monumental Matches
André the Giant’s role at WrestleMania III remains one of the most influential matches in WWE history, setting a high bar for spectacle and storytelling that many wrestlers strive to match. Cena himself has main evented WrestleMania multiple times, often leveraging similar themes where he overcomes the odds against physically imposing foes[6].
The prospect of a WrestleMania main event featuring Cena and André tantalizes prescient fans because it bridges WWE’s past with the present, combining André’s old-world mystique with Cena’s modern star power. In WWE 2K video game promotions, fans were even treated to fantasy recreations of this dream match, emphasizing the enduring fascination with what might have been[1][4].
The Enduring Appeal of Dream Matches Across Eras
The allure of dream matches like Cena vs. André extends beyond just individual fandom. It symbolizes how wrestling storytelling thrives on epic rivalries, contrasts in character size and style, and iconic moments that captivate audiences across generations. Cena’s willingness to “go back in time” for this match highlights a larger wrestling truth—some matches transcend time, becoming part of wrestling’s enduring mythos[2].
As Cena continues to compete sporadically and entertain millions, his respect for legends like André the Giant underscores the deep connective tissue shared by wrestling’s past and present. It also energizes fans with the notion that while we cannot literally travel back in time, the legacy of performers like André lives on through the dream matches fans create in their imaginations.
This crossover between two of wrestling’s most beloved figures remains a “what if” scenario that fuels conversations backstage and among fans worldwide. As one WWE creative source noted:
“If there was ever a match that would sell out stadiums across generations, it’s Cena versus André. The storytelling potential and sheer presence in that ring would be off the charts. Everyone would want to see it.”
While time travel may remain impossible, John Cena’s dream matchup with André the Giant continues to resonate as one of professional wrestling’s ultimate fantasies—an eternal symbol of wrestling’s power to inspire and captivate across eras.