Backstage Update on John Cena, Possible Return Date to WWE Television Revealed

The newly-engaged couple of John Cena and Nikki Bella already took their time off from wrestling on Tuesday after defeating The Miz and Maryse at WrestleMania. The latest backstage update has revealed the status of Cena moving forward and his possible return date.

Both John Cena and Nikki Bella were absent this past Tuesday on SmackDown Live, per WWE.com. The Miz and Maryse dressed up as them and explained why they are not on the show. Cena is off to Hollywood to film his new movie while Nikki needs time to heal her aching surgically-repaired neck.

According to PWInsider, John Cena will start filming his new movie titled "The Pact" on April 19 and it finishes up on June 9. The next WWE pay-per-view around that time is Money in the Bank on June 18, if he is still part of the SmackDown Live brand.

The WWE "Superstar Shake-Up" next week on Raw means that no superstar is safe from switching brands. If he goes to Raw, he could end up returning for Bad Blood on July 9. Although nothing is certain at this point, John Cena is expected to be at SummerSlam on August 20.

SummerSlam is the biggest WWE event next to WrestleMania 33 so it makes sense for the company to promote John Cena. If the 39-year-old superstar makes his return before SummerSlam, his program could be his quest to break Ric Flair's record of 16 WWE World championships, as reported by ComicBook.com.

John Cena tied Flair's record at the Royal Rumble last January but it only lasted for two weeks after he lost to Bray Wyatt at Elimination Chamber. Nevertheless, the WWE universe will be without Cena for several months, something they need to be accustomed to since he is slowly transitioning into a full-time Hollywood actor.

The WWE are entering a very interesting phase of their history with The Undertaker officially retiring and John Cena going to Hollywood. The company will rely on new superstars like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and A.J. Styles to carry the torch moving forward.

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