Report: Update On Potential John Cena Return At WWE WrestleMania 39

John Cena might not be at WWE WrestleMania 39 after all. 

Recent reports had noted that the 16-time world champion was expected to perform at the 2023 edition of the Showcase of the Immortals and a WrestleMania 39 match against Austin Theory was even teased on WWE programming in October.  

The latest update from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter leaves Cena's status for WrestleMania 39 up in the air, though, as the 45-year-old is reportedly scheduled to be in Australia through February and March for filming of 'Ricky Stanicky', an R-rated comedy where Cena will play the title character alongside Zac Efron. 

WrestleMania 39 is scheduled to take place on April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California and with Cena seemingly booked until the end of March, this would leave WWE with no time to build to a WrestleMania 39 match for the former top star. 

Cena could still appear as a surprise on the show, though, similar to his appearances at WrestleMania 32 and WrestleMania 35. WWE could even choose to have Cena in a surprise match, with his opponent carrying the programme until Big Match John's appearance at the Show of Shows.