The champ is here, but not the way one might expect.
WWE WrestleMania 39 kicked off with a heated title match between John Cena and WWE United States Champion Austin Theory. The 16-time world champion challenged for the title, hoping to kick off his sixth reign.
Cena made an emotional entrance as several children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation came to the stage, and Cena celebrated with them before he made his way to the ring. Cena holds the record for the most wishes granted in the history of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Cena gained an early advantage, but Theory bent the rules by biting his ear to gain the upper hand. Theory controlled the action, but Cena rallied and briefly locked Theory in the STF. The former world champion went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Theory had it scouted. The two foes traded blows, and Theory trapped the veteran in a sleeper hold. Cena rallied, and he hit the Five-Knuckle Shuffle. The referee got knocked down, so he didn’t see Theory tap out to the STF or hit Cena below the belt. Theory then hit Cena with the A-Town down for the win.
Catch up on our coverage of WWE WrestleMania 39 here.
