John Cena admits he won’t be a part of WWE’s biggest ever show
WWE figurehead John Cena has confirmed he will miss out on this year’s Wrestlemana.
Speaking at a press launch to announce the location of next year’s extravaganza, former 15-time champion Cena admitted he would be forced to sit out WWE’s biggest ever show at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas next month after weeks of speculation he may heal enough from shoulder surgery in January to perform.
"For the first time in a decade in a half, this year I will be watching and not wrestling at Wrestlemania,” he said of the 105,000 seater event at which WWE hopes to break its all-time attendance record.
“Wrestlemania means the world to me.”
The perennial headliner, who took a rare hiatus from in-ring action before his recent op between the end of October and late December to film US reality series American Grit, has been an ever-present since taking his Wrestlemania bow at the 20th anniversary of the annual spectacular in 2004.
Other notable Wrestlemania absences ruled out through injury include Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Nikki Bella, Cesaro, Tyson Kidd and Sting.
Earlier this week Cena teased “big news” on Twitter, but it seems he may have been referring to the announcement that Florida will host next year’s show.
Local and state politicians joined WWE supremo Vince McMahon earlier today to confirm Wrestlemania 33 will go down at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
"We're excited to bring this event back to Orlando," said Florida Governor Rick Scott.
"Florida set a tourism record by welcoming 105 million visitors in 2015, and WWE will help bring even more visitors to Florida in 2017."