John Cena Return: Reigns, Rollins, Balor Make Sense As SummerSlam Opponent For WWE's Top Star

It’s been four months since John Cena had his last match on WWE TV, but the face of the company will soon make his in-ring return. After suffering a shoulder injury that forced him to undergo surgery, Cena announced on Twitter that he’ll be back in a month.

After he lost the United States Championship to Alberto Del Rio at Hell in a Cell in October, Cena was gone for two months as he filmed his reality TV show, “American Grit.” He briefly returned at the end of December, but was forced out of action when it was revealed he needed surgery. Cena appeared at WrestleMania 32 during a segment with The Rock and The Wyatt Family, and now he’ll be ready to wrestle sooner than many had expected.

With Cena set to return to “Monday Night Raw” on May 30, he’ll miss the next two pay-per-views—Payback and Extreme Rules. He’ll be back for Money in the Bank on June 19, and he’s almost sure to be in one of the top matches at SummerSlam on Aug.21 in Brooklyn.

Before he was injured, Cena was likely to face Del Rio for the U.S. Title at the Royal Rumble, followed by a match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. Having barely wrestled over the past six months, Cena could feud with any number of WWE superstars upon his return.

It’s hard to imagine that Cena will look to regain his U.S. Championship. If Ryback wins the belt from Kalisto at Payback, Cena could potentially face the Big Guy in a few PPV matches, but it’s hard to see Ryback becoming champion.

The results of Payback could play a major role in whom Cena will face upon his return, even if his next feud has nothing to do with the U.S. Championship. A Roman Reigns heel turn could be coming, and if the champ keeps the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Payback against AJ Styles, a title match between Cena and Reigns could be in the near future.

Before his hiatus towards the end of last year, there were rumors that Reigns and Cena would meet in the main event of WrestleMania 32. With Cena set to come back at the end of May, WWE could look to have that match highlight SummerSlam 2016.

Doing so would likely mean Cena would face someone else at Money in the Bank and WWE Battleground, but a match between Cena and Reigns appears to be a foregone conclusion at some point. Considering Cena has been the face of the company for over a decade and Reigns looks to be the heir apparent, a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between them only makes sense.

If WWE decided that this summer is not the time for a Cena-Reigns feud, Cena could enter into a program with another former Shield member. Seth Rollins hasn’t wrestled since he tore his ACL in early November, and his return is imminent. The two had a great match at SummerSlam 2015, and it might make sense for them to both come back at the same time and face each other.

Cena has had feuds with a lot of up-and-comers in the last few years, so he could face a recent NXT call-up when he first returns. Matches with the likes of Baron Corbin, Samoa Joe or Finn Balor are not out of the question.