WWE’s Austin Theory Opens Up On Defeating ‘Childhood Hero’ John Cena At WrestleMania 39: ‘That’s My Childhood Dream Right There’

Published: 5 hours ago by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: 5 hours ago by Connel Rumsey

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WWE’s Austin Theory Opens Up On Defeating ‘Childhood Hero’ John Cena At WrestleMania 39: ‘That’s My Childhood Dream Right There’

WWE World Tag Team Champion Austin Theory has opened up on defeating his ‘childhood hero’ John Cena back at WrestleMania 39.

Back at WWE WrestleMania 39, Austin Theory walked into the show as the United States Champion, with him facing off against John Cena for the title in the show’s opening match, with Theory picking up the win.

Theory has noted previously how he grew up as a fan of Cena before entering the wrestling industry, and he has now opened up on the feeling of defeating his childhood hero at the Grandest Stage of Them All.

WrestleMania 39 Was Austin Theory’s ‘Childhood Dream’

Speaking to Enry Lazza, Theory was asked about facing Cena at WrestleMania, and how it was his childhood dream come true.

He said:

“I’d have to say there’s both sides to it. Hitting him in the balls and looking him in the face and being like ‘this is my hero’ and beating him with my finisher 1-2-3, it was awesome, I had a great time.

“The little 8 year old kid inside of me that was inspired by John Cena, the 8 year old kid that’s dad wasn’t in his life and I got bullied in school, that kid that had John Cena to get him through those hard times, it was such a cool full circle moment.

“Still to this day, even not just professionally but personally, getting to have that moment with him. A Monday Night Raw is a huge show, a live event is a huge show, SmackDown’s a huge show, all the premium live events are huge shows, but a WrestleMania is the biggest show we have, and getting to have that match with John Cena there, and not only walk in as United States Champion but walk out United States Champion, that’s my childhood dream right there.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

John Cena’s Role At WWE Backlash

With WWE Backlash set to take place this Saturday in Tampa, Florida, it has now been announced that Cena will make an appearance on the show to announce ‘history making news‘.

While there are a number of things that Cena could announce on the show, it seems that his announcement could be related to the new Club WWE subscription service, which Cena has been the voice of the commercials for in recent weeks.

There has also been a lot of speculation about where WWE WrestleMania 44 may be held in 2028, with the belief being that Nashville could be the location of the show, though there are a number of other cities waiting for a WrestleMania.

Cena could make the announcement of the location for WWE WrestleMania 44, or maybe announce himself for the 2027 WWE Hall of Fame class.