When John Cena returned to the WWE earlier this month, he came back as a free agent, and many found this surprising. The reason why he wants to be a free agent might surprise fans even more.

Originally drafted to SmackDown Live, Cena is now free to turn up on Monday Night RAW whenever he likes due to his free agent status. He could appear on the red brand this week if he wanted to, but right now, he's appearing more on the blue brand due to his current feud with Rusev.

After his Flag match against The Bulgarian Brute this weekend, The Cenation Leader is expected to enter a big SummerSlam program, which could see him face one of several superstars including United States Champion AJ Styles and WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.

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Following WWE's biggest party of the summer, WWE could book Cena more on RAW to take advantage of his free agent status. The man himself has revealed in an interview with Complex why he wanted to become a free agent in the first place.

The 16-time World Champion has said he has become a free agent because he believes his days in the WWE are numbered, so before he retires from wrestling, he wants to be able to do everything he can, which means not being brand limited.

Cena said: "The reason that I wanted to be a free agent and the reason they kind of granted my request is because I don't know if I'll be available for Smackdown specific only or Raw specific only, and I also know that my days are numbered.

"I just turned 40 in April and we have so many young and talented performers, I don't know how many years I have left. So in the time I have left, I'm gonna do what I can to dedicate to this company I just want to be able to do it the most time that I possibly can."

Cena's free agent status now gives him the flexibility to have matches and feuds he would never have been able to have if he was limited to SmackDown. This could bring about several feuds we have never seen before, such as against Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman, and of course, Roman Reigns.

It also leaves him open to working on SmackDown Live in some interesting feuds if he is needed as well, such as against Shinsuke Nakamura, and Mahal, who is one of his rumored opponents for SummerSlam this year.

With in-ring retirement on his mind though, we're definitely on the back end of Cena's wrestling career now, but knowing the top quality superstar he is, there's bound to be several more exciting and compelling feuds for the 16-time World Champion before he calls it a day.

Who would you like to see face John Cena at SummerSlam? Have YOUR say in the comments section below and the fourth episode of GiveMeSport’s WWE podcast is here! Check it out via this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-818579649/gms-wwe-podcast-money-in-the-bank-fallout