A few weeks ago John Cena made his return to Monday Night Raw, and he was immediately confronted by United States Champion Austin Theory who gifted Cena a title shot on the Grandest Stage of Them All. John Cena took some shots at Austin Theory during their face to face meeting on Raw, but he agreed to face Theory at WrestleMania 39.
Night 1 of WrestleMania 39 took place from SoFi Stadium on Saturday night, and John Cena and Austin Theory opened up the show with their big United States Championship match.
Theory and Cena wrestled a competitive back and forth match, and early on Theory tried to gain the upper hand when he bit Cena’s ear. Eventually Cena got the momentum on his side and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
John Cena tried to follow up with the Attitude Adjustment, but Austin Theory grabbed the ropes and inadvertently kicked the referee while he was on Cena’s shoulders. Cena then put Theory in the STF, and Theory tapped out but the ref was down and didn’t see it. Cena went to check on the referee and Theory hit him with a low blow then followed up with A-Town Down for the win to retain the United States Championship.
Vintage @JohnCena submits #USChampion @_Theory1 at #WrestleMania … but the referee didn't see it! pic.twitter.com/cszCK5opBv
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2023