John Cena’s Final Opponent: Every Potential WWE Matchup Explained
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John Cena will be retiring on December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. He recently shut down any rumors on X, making it clear he plans to honor this milestone.
On X, he wrote: “Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match.”
“I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time.”
As we get closer to December, his final opponent has become a hot topic. Everyone is speculating, and it’s a huge deal for whoever earns the honor of facing Cena in his last match.
Before that, Cena is expected to face Dominik Mysterio at Survivor Series. This encounter is significant, as it could give Cena the chance to compete for the Intercontinental Championship, the only major WWE title he has never held.
WWE is known for throwing curveballs. So, while Gunther makes sense, the company may want this moment to be big and a closely guarded secret. With that in mind, let’s explore some viable options for who could retire John Cena:
The Rock
While The Rock has joked about being John Cena’s final opponent, he and others have said that the choice ultimately belongs to Cena.
The Rock also admitted that WWE often listens to his input on creative decisions when he has something to say, as he discussed with the Kelce brothers on their podcast.
On the podcast, he said: “It’s not me, Nick Khan, or Triple H. It’s whoever John wants. That guy has earned it. The best part about John is that he comes as advertised. Who you think he is, that’s who he is. He’s a good dude, and I love that guy.”
When speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Peter Rosenberg also touched on the possibility of The Rock being Cena’s final opponent. He mentioned that The Rock might “owe” fans a payoff after the John Cena heel turn and “Final Boss” storyline went nowhere following its big debut.
While it may not be the most popular option among the names available, it’s certainly possible.
Edge
Edge and John Cena are two of WWE’s most iconic rivals. Recently, rumors have circulated that Edge could be returning to WWE to take part in Cena’s farewell tour.
A little more than two weeks after those rumors surfaced, WWE and AEW went head-to-head with major events. On AEW’s All Out show in Toronto, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage faced FTR in a tag team match.
During the bout, Copeland, who joined Tony Khan’s promotion in 2023, paid homage to his old rival by hitting Cash Wheeler with a Five Knuckle Shuffle before securing the victory. Not long after, John Cena posted a photo of Edge on Instagram on September 21.
Most recently, while speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Peter Rosenberg shared his thoughts on who would be the best choice for Cena’s final opponent. He explained that Edge stands out as Cena’s greatest rival, especially during the height of Cena’s career when he was the top babyface champion. He felt Edge was the perfect opposite of “Super Cena” and helped define that era.
It would make perfect sense and feel truly fitting if Edge were to be John Cena’s final opponent.
Bron Breakker
There haven’t been many reports or indications that Bron Breakker is being considered as a potential opponent. But, the idea makes sense. When he joined Seth Rollins’ faction, the group was built around the premise of being the future of WWE, with Seth leading the next generation.
Everything changed when Bron turned on Seth, taking over The Vision and putting himself on a fast track to the top. It’s only a matter of time before he captures the World Heavyweight Championship. While that storyline may overshadow the need for a match with John Cena, it would still be fitting for Bron to be the one.
Bron appears to be on track to becoming the next face of WWE. There would be no greater stamp of approval than having John Cena in that final moment, where Cena doesn’t pass the torch… Bron takes it.
Uncle Howdy/Bo Dallas
At the start of John Cena’s farewell tour, mentioning Bo Dallas as a potential opponent would have seemed completely out of left field. But everything changed when the fireflies appeared as Cena used the Sister Abigail on AJ Styles.
Cena has a well-documented feud with Bray Wyatt, and putting over Bray’s brother, who could use the spotlight, would be a meaningful and fitting move for Cena.
Bray Wyatt believed John Cena was a bully who held others back for his own gain and would eventually give in to his darker urges. Wyatt viewed Cena as a symbol of WWE’s favoritism. He publicly challenged his “good guy” persona, predicting that Cena’s true nature would one day be revealed.
That prophecy eventually came true with Cena’s heel turn, though he would later come to his senses. So, who knows… Never say never.
Austin Theory
Austin Theory is currently injured. But before that, he was finally starting to get over as a babyface — something WWE had struggled to commit to.
Public opinion on John Cena’s match with Austin Theory was mixed, with many viewers finding it underwhelming. While Theory came out with the win, some fans felt the match was boring, that Cena wasn’t at his best, and that the victory was weakened by a cheap finish involving a low blow and a lackluster build.
Before Theory’s injury, WWE appeared to be setting up his split from Grayson Waller, teasing a moment where Austin would finally turn on his partner. During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Waller reflected on Cena’s comments about Theory and said, “Austin Theory is a good guy. He’s super humble, he’s super respectful.”
One last match with Cena could serve as the passing-of-the-torch moment Austin always wanted. But, under different terms. Maybe this time, it could be the moment that truly catapults him into becoming the company man he wants to be.
Joe Hendry
You always have to save the best for last. Over time, Joe Hendry became the last person I would have expected as we near the end of John Cena’s retirement tour. But with The Rock publicly acknowledging that the decision belongs to Cena, this match suddenly makes a lot more sense.
John Cena has always said he strives to be a man of his word. On an episode of Busted Open Podcast, Joe Hendry revealed that Cena once told him if he wanted a match, he had to be the one to make it happen.
Hendry and Cena had a backstage conversation at the Royal Rumble, which he details in his interview with Chris Van Vliet:
Joe better start making noise soon, because if John Cena is true to his word, he’ll give him that match before he walks away for good.
It would be a full-circle moment, symbolic of Cena’s legacy and everything he’s stood for. Maybe, just maybe, Joe Hendry is the one destined to close the final chapter of John Cena’s storied career.
Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho was John Cena’s first major feud, so why not be his last? It would bring Cena’s career full circle, beginning where it all started back at WWE Vengeance 2002. That initial rivalry was pivotal for Cena, as he earned his first major pay-per-view victory over Jericho.
Originally, Vince McMahon wanted Cena to deliver a strong performance before ultimately losing, similar to his match with Kurt Angle. But, Jericho insisted on putting the newcomer over to help establish him as a credible rising star.
Though they’ve clashed several times since, Cena and Jericho have always maintained a level of mutual respect. That bond was on display during Cena’s farewell tour in 2025, when he paid tribute to Jericho with the Walls of Jericho, a move WWE even acknowledged by name.
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