Who Will Be John Cena’s Final Opponent?
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On December 13th, WWE will celebrate the legendary career of ‘The Never Seen 17’ as he officially retires from professional wrestling. To mark the occasion, the company has announced a 16-man tournament to determine who will be John Cena’s final opponent.
So far, only seven names, Rusev, Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus, Jey Uso, The Miz, and LA Knight have been revealed. As the days go by, WWE is expected to announce more participants for the tournament.
The Tradition of Passing the Torch
When a wrestler retires, it’s common for them to face, or team with, a younger performer to “pass the torch” and help elevate the next generation. A recent example of this was Sting’s retirement, where Darby Allin benefited from the association, carrying the torch forward for AEW.
With Cena, WWE has the same opportunity. However, the company’s recent struggles to build new stars may make it difficult to find the right successor. Still, there are a few names who could greatly benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime spotlight.
A Concerning Start: Average Age 43.5
The first four participants announced, Rusev (39), Damian Priest (43), Shinsuke Nakamura (45), and Sheamus (47), have an average age of 43.5 years old. This early lineup highlights WWE’s ongoing issue with pushing younger talent to the forefront.
Of course, these are only four out of sixteen spots, so there’s still hope that younger names will be added to balance things out. But, fans are watching closely to see if WWE uses this opportunity to truly invest in the future.
Who Should Face Cena in His Final Match?
Among the younger names on the roster, Bron Breakker (28) and Carmelo Hayes (31) stand out as the most logical choices.
Breakker, a second-generation star, seems tailor-made for the main event scene. He fits WWE’s traditional mold of a top star and has all the tools to become a major player. If you’re betting, Breakker seems like the safe pick to be Cena’s final opponent. However, for such a high-profile match, his inexperience could show, especially against a veteran like Cena.
Hayes, on the other hand, is a technically gifted performer with undeniable charisma. Yet, WWE has struggled to define his role, often positioning him as a midcard act, rather than a future headliner. A match with Cena could change that perception overnight, if the company commits to elevating him.
The End of an Era
The WWE roster is massive, and the company has been known to throw curveballs in major storylines. Whoever wins this tournament will not only face John Cena, but also cement their place in WWE history.
One thing is certain, December 13th will mark the end of an era. The final chapter in the story of one of the greatest to ever step inside a WWE ring.
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