RVD Claims He Almost Faced John Cena on His Final Tour Until a Brutal Injury Wrecked the Plans”
Rob Van Dam has revealed inside details that suggest he came astonishingly close to stepping back into the squared circle against John Cena during Cena’s high-profile retirement tour. Wrestling fans could have witnessed one last dream match between two icons before the matchup fell apart in tragic fashion.
The abrupt collapse of plans came when RVD suffered a freak double heel fracture earlier this year. What follows is a breakdown of how near the clash came, why it mattered, and what the injury means for both men.
RVD Almost Locked in for Cena’s Farewell Tour
WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam opened up about serious talks with WWE to face John Cena during what is expected to be Cena’s final road through the promotion. While appearing on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, RVD confirmed there was real momentum to put him back in the ring opposite Cena. “I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena on his retirement tour.
I was talking to them. There was a lot of interest. Without giving away too many details, you know, we were probably going to do it,” he explained before revealing everything turned on its head when he broke his heels.
Coverage by Yardbarker, quoting The Sportster, confirms that WWE had substantial interest and discussions were underway until RVD’s April injury stripped the potential matchup of all momentum.
Additional coverage from 411mania reiterates that RVD fractured both his heels wrestling in MLW’s Battle Riot VII match earlier this year, effectively sidelining him and ending the possibility of a blockbuster clash.
Injury at MLW Battle Riot VII Brings It All to a Halt
The pivotal moment came at MLW’s Battle Riot VII event in April. RVD entered the 40-man Battle Riot match, where the winner earns a future shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship. The match played out with high stakes and wild spots until RVD fractured both heels in what remains a jarring setback.
Injury of this nature carries grim rehabilitation timelines. Double heel fractures require extended recovery, casting serious doubts on RVD’s availability even for future events. The timing could not have been worse. The injury not only derailed the budding Cena rematch but may delay RVD’s return to major ring action by months or even longer.
Why This Match Could Have Been Monumental
One moment stands out starkly in the collective memory of wrestling fans. Cena and RVD met at ECW One Night Stand in June 2006 in an extreme rules environment. Cena, the WWE Champion, defended against RVD at Hammerstein Ballroom, and a hostile crowd famously chanted “If Cena wins, we riot” and pelted Cena with his own shirt. RVD walked away with the WWE title in that atmosphere rife with tension.
That match marked a high point in their shared history. They last teamed together in 2014. A final showdown during Cena’s curtain call would have carried rich emotion and nostalgia for fans who have followed both careers for decades. Reporting emphasizes that such a clash would have had more resonance than a standard farewell bout.
Future Uncertain for RVD and Fans Left Wanting More
Wrestling followers now face a bitter twist of fate. Plans for that dream match evaporated overnight as RVD faces an uncertain timeline for recovery. Heel fractures often require surgical repair and prolonged immobilization. His road back is likely to be many months long. That leaves WWE scrambling to rebook Cena’s tour with matches that still deliver emotional weight such as Seth Rollins or maybe, Roman Reigns.
Fans remain hopeful that RVD eventually makes his way back. In a world filled with miraculous recoveries, RVD’s return would be celebrated. For now, however, he remains on the sidelines, and what might have been will stay in the realm of wrestling “could-have-been.”
