Cena reacts to Ryder’s emotional WWE return
Summary
– John Cena posts a silent Instagram salute to Zack Ryder after his SmackDown comeback
– Ryder returns for the Last Time Is Now tournament against LA Knight
– Ryder reflects on five years of grinding for another WWE moment
Zack Ryder made his long-awaited return to WWE during the November 14 episode of SmackDown. His appearance sparked a major reaction from fans who hadn’t seen him compete under the Ryder name in half a decade. One person paying close attention was John Cena, who showed support through a simple Instagram photo of Ryder in his return gear. The gesture made it clear that Cena respected the moment.
Ryder entered the Last Time Is Now tournament and collided with LA Knight in a match filled with nostalgia and intensity. Although he didn’t secure the victory, the response from the crowd proved how much they missed the former Internet Champion. His performance served as a reminder of how far he has come since leaving the company in 2020.
After the match, Ryder opened up about how much the night meant to him. He shared that every day since his WWE release, he woke up thinking about how to get back into a WWE ring. He called the return a validation of the years he spent grinding on the independent scene, where he rebuilt himself into a top attraction.
Ryder also made it clear that even if this was a one-night opportunity, he delivered with the same passion that earned him a loyal following. His growth outside WWE as Matt Cardona added layers to his return and made the moment feel earned on every level.
Whether this appearance leads to more remains to be seen. What fans do know is that Ryder showed heart, the WWE Universe remembered, and Cena chose to recognize it in his own way.
