John Cena Assesses His Latest WWE Run: 'It’s Exceeded My Expectations'

In mid-August, WWE announced that 16-time world champion John Cena would be returning to WWE programming for an appearance on SmackDown, followed by the company's Superstar Spectacle in India. Shortly after that, WWE revealed that Cena's latest stint was extended to October 27, as Cena was now scheduled to appear on SmackDown for seven consecutive weeks, beginning on September 15.

Since resurfacing, Cena has been caught in a heated battle with The Bloodline, most recently defeating Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso at WWE Fastlane -- with the help of LA Knight.

At the WWE Fastlane press conference, Cena assessed his latest WWE run so far, stating that it has exceeded his expectations. Now at the age of 46 though, Cena feels his in-ring career is beginning to wind down.

"It’s exceeded my expectations because the energy and the talent in the WWE locker room is incredible," Cena said. "I say this is truly the golden age of sports entertainment. I don’t think there has ever been a better time to be in the sports entertainment business. In saying that, I don't think there's ever been a better time to be in WWE. We can all romanticize about the Attitude Era, the Ruthless Aggression Era.

There has never been more opportunity to be a WWE superstar than right now. If there is ever an example of someone gives you an inch, you make it a freakin' mile, it’s the person to my left right here, LA Knight. I don’t know if that happens in any other era just because of how few spots there were. So, I’m overwhelmed by where the state of the union is at, but at the same time, selfishly, this trip back has been a gauge for me to test where I’m at and what the future holds for me."

"Some of y’all watched the [Fastlane] match. I was in the thing tonight, I got some work to do," Cena added. "I got to realize that I got some figuring out to function at the level that I’m used to, to be able to perform at a level that is worthy of what I’m familiar with and what the audience is familiar with. That’s selfishly what this episode in the WWE is for me, is to take stock in myself, where I feel physically.

I’m 46. I’ve told everybody this ain’t the last one, but I know the last one is on the horizon, so I’m just taking stock of where I’m at. I’ve always promised that I don’t want to ever offend the WWE Universe with the effort I put out there. I’m trying to give all I've got. I gotta work out some tweaks and find the mojo somewhere. I’m grateful for my partner for picking up the slack tonight."