WWE Almost Pulled the Trigger on Matt Hardy vs John Cena in 2009—Here’s Why It Never Happened
A long-forgotten WWE dream match nearly became reality in 2009 — and fans are only now learning how close it really was. During a recent episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the veteran star revealed that WWE once seriously discussed pairing him against John Cena at the peak of Cena’s run. According to Hardy, the plan was very real, but brutal timing and injuries quietly killed it before it could reach television.
At the time, Matt Hardy was coming off his intense and controversial feud with his brother Jeff Hardy, a storyline that generated massive heat. Hardy explained that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was impressed with his heel work and floated the idea of moving him directly into a program with Cena.
However, everything unraveled when Hardy suffered multiple injuries. He broke his hand and also required surgery after tearing his abdominal wall, forcing him off TV for an extended period. That setback, combined with Jeff Hardy’s own health issues and his impending WWE departure, caused creative plans to shift completely.
By the time Matt returned, WWE had already pivoted. Jeff was preparing to leave the company, and Hardy was turned babyface again, effectively closing the door on what could have been a career-defining feud.
Hardy admitted the missed opportunity still stings. He believed the rivalry with Cena could have explored their shared history, dating back to Cena’s early WWE days. In his vision, Hardy would have leaned into resentment — portraying himself as the veteran who helped Cena rise, only to be forgotten once Cena became the face of the company.
He felt jealousy could have been a powerful angle, not just toward Jeff Hardy, but toward Cena as well — framing himself as the overlooked workhorse watching others surpass him.
Even today, Hardy says fans still react strongly to his 2009 heel turn on Jeff Hardy, particularly the infamous chair shot at the Royal Rumble. According to him, some fans admit they hated him so much afterward that they refused to watch his matches for years.
Looking back, Matt Hardy believes the timing simply wasn’t meant to be. But his comments confirm one thing: WWE was just one injury away from delivering a major Matt Hardy vs John Cena feud that could have reshaped both men’s legacies.
