WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has revealed that he was in talks with WWE for a return match against John Cena as part of Cena’s 2025 farewell tour. In a new interview, RVD stated that there was “a lot of interest” from both sides and that the match was “probably going to do it,” but the plan was unfortunately derailed after he suffered a serious injury.
John Cena’s ongoing retirement tour has featured a series of matches against opponents who have been influential in his legendary career. A match against Rob Van Dam, one of his most iconic rivals from the mid-2000s, would have been a great addition to the tour. Their infamous encounter at ECW One Night Stand 2006 is considered one of the greatest matches in either man’s career.
Speaking on the TMZ Inside The Ring podcast with Branson Quirke and Roger Corral, Rob Van Dam was asked about John Cena’s retirement tour. He then revealed that he was not only watching the tour as a fan, but he was in discussions to be a part of it before his injury.
“I wanted to be one of the return matches for John Cena and 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.”
Unfortunately for fans, the match was not to be. RVD confirmed that the plans were halted after he suffered a double heel fracture at an independent wrestling event in April, an injury that has kept him out of the ring for the past five months. “And then I broke my heels.”
Rob Van Dam is currently recovering from his injuries and has not yet given a timetable for his potential return to the ring. You can hear his full, candid interview on the TMZ Inside The Ropes podcast.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
