Shinsuke Nakamura on possible John Cena rematch: "It would be a gift"

John Cena's time is almost up! The GOAT of WWE is a month away from his final match, taking place on December 13th at Saturday Night's Main Event. The Last Time is Now Tour is wrapping up, and wrestlers in and out of the promotion have one last opportunity to face Cena.

Cena's final year in WWE hasn't exactly been a perfect run. While he did finally break the Ric Flair record of World Titles (depending on what records you're looking at), it came with a heel run that started well and ended with a sputter. After turning on Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber and winning the belt at WrestleMania, Cena turned face days before Cody faced him again. Since then, Cena's faced a few old rivals in Brock Lesnar and John Cena, and even challenged Sami Zayn for the US Title.

Now, several WWE Superstars, as well as names from "other promotions", will have a chance to be John Cena's final opponent, thanks to The Last Time is Now Tournament, which began last week. WWE asked tonight's competitors what they think about the opportunity, and what it would mean to them. Nakamura, who only wrestled Cena one-on-one in one televised match, sees the opportunity as a gift.

"Some of our generation decided to step away from the ring. No one can escape from the flow of time. But if his path and mine should cross again, I believe it would be a gift. A gift," said Nakamura.

Nakamura's opponent on RAW tonight is another one of Cena's oldest rivals, Sheamus. The other opening round bout will see Rusev battle Damian Priest.

John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura once fought for a shot at the WWE Championship

Back in the summer of 2017, a recently debuted Shinsuke Nakamura had the opportunity of a lifetime. With Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion, The King of Strong Style was ready to make waves and capture the top prize in the promotion.

His one obstacle? John Cena. On August 1, 2017, Nakamura and Cena clashed, with the winner getting a shot at Jinder Mahal's WWE Championship at SummerSlam.

In a moment that left many fans stunned, Nakamura defeated John Cena clean in the middle of the ring after hitting the Kinshasa (peep the kid in disbelief at 9:50). It seemed like a crowning moment for Nakamura. However, he'd never win the WWE or World Championship. And with the former Intercontinental Champion also nearing retirement, it's an accolade he may never earn.

Edited by Greg Bush