John Cena, widely known as The Last Real Champion, has hinted that he may be influencing the course of his Farewell Tour more than previously thought, contradicting his past stance of leaving matchups to WWE’s creative team. This sudden shift comes amid fan speculation that Cena wants to shape the final chapter of his career, especially following the online push by The Never Seen 17 for a match against AJ Styles. The Focus Keyword, John Cena retirement matches, takes center stage as fans and insiders alike anticipate how Triple H will book the remainder of Cena’s farewell before his retirement in December.
Potential Final Clash with Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns stands as John Cena’s successor as WWE’s top star, having symbolically taken the mantle at the 2017 No Mercy event when he defeated Cena in what many viewed as a passing of the torch moment. Their second significant encounter occurred at SummerSlam 2021, where Cena challenged Reigns for the Universal Championship but fell short. Despite being two of WWE’s greatest performers, their head-to-head rivalry has been notably one-sided, with Cena never scoring a singles victory over Reigns. Given Reigns’ established dominance and Cena’s impending retirement, a conclusive showdown where Cena attempts to finally overcome Reigns would be a compelling and essential match to witness.
An Intercontinental Championship Pursuit to Complete His Grand Slam Legacy
Although John Cena’s career is decorated with numerous accolades, the Intercontinental Championship remains one title that has eluded him. Winning this belt would allow Cena to complete the coveted WWE Grand Slam, an achievement revered in the wrestling world. The current titleholder, Dominik Mysterio, has openly challenged Cena, offering a perfect storyline for this pursuit. However, if Mysterio loses the championship before Cena’s next title match opportunity, Cena may face Mysterio’s challenger, Rusev, who is scheduled to contest the IC title soon. This angle promises a prestigious addition to Cena’s legacy while delivering a high-profile match during his farewell run.
Retirement Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
John Cena plans to conclude his in-ring career at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, marking the end of his Farewell Tour. To elevate the stakes of this final bout, Cena should contest for the World Heavyweight Championship, offering a fitting climax to his storied journey. Cena’s last encounter with the reigning champion, Seth Rollins, took place at Night of Champions but has not been revisited since. Facing Rollins for the title in his retirement match would provide the ultimate test and create a memorable finish for The Franchise Player’s legacy in WWE.
This trio of matches—against Roman Reigns, an Intercontinental Title match, and a World Heavyweight Championship showdown—would serve to solidify John Cena’s farewell as both meaningful and impactful. Each bout brings a distinct narrative thread, reflecting past rivalries and highlighting potential for career-defining moments as Cena bows out.
The booking choices made by Triple H will heavily influence how Cena is remembered, and with fans watching closely, there is significant pressure to deliver a farewell that honors Cena’s contributions to WWE. Should Cena exert greater creative control, these retirement matches could mark a triumphant and satisfying conclusion for one of wrestling’s brightest icons.
.@JohnCena vs. @AJStylesOrg is a match we all want to see. And at #WWECrownJewel…we will.
Saturday, October 11 on @espn & @netflix. https://t.co/PhF5NM6AoC pic.twitter.com/Z7nsRuXwTb
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 23, 2025
