The wrestling world is abuzz as WWE reportedly prepares to stage John Cena’s final match on December 27 at a yet unnamed event, strategically scheduled to compete directly with AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view at the NOW Arena in Chicago. Initially planned for early December during WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, internal discussions suggest WWE wants to overshadow AEW’s event by moving Cena’s farewell bout to the same date.
Journalists Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer have confirmed these intentions, with Meltzer stating,
That is certainly the story going around. They wanted to move from December 13 to December 27.
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Journalist
WWE’s Strategy to Weaken AEW’s Media Rights Position
This move aligns with WWE’s broader strategy to disrupt AEW’s growth, particularly regarding AEW’s upcoming media rights renewal, which could significantly increase its market value. WWE reportedly is enhancing the profile of TNA Wrestling, positioning it as a controllable second-tier promotion to limit AEW’s influence.
Meltzer explained WWE’s motivations further, saying,
They just want this guy [Tony Khan] out of the box. If the numbers stay good, he’s going to get a renewal at a much bigger number … and that would make AEW incredibly profitable. They feel the need to make sure this is the last contract.
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Journalist
Alongside these developments, WWE is reportedly planning a major September 20 pay-per-view match between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, set to compete directly with AEW’s All Out 2025 event.
Although WWE has yet to announce the final date for Cena’s retirement match or a December episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cena’s next confirmed bout is against Logan Paul at WWE Clash in Paris on August 31, keeping fans eagerly awaiting further updates.
CM Punk Receives an Unexpected Gift at SummerSlam 2025
During SummerSlam 2025 weekend in New Jersey, longtime friends CM Punk and Danhausen reunited on camera for a vlog. In a surprising gesture, Danhausen presented Punk with a unique gift: a specially designed t-shirt featuring legendary wrestler Bret Hart at the center, flanked by Punk’s wife AJ Lee and Danhausen himself. This commemorated Punk’s highly anticipated main event at Monday Night WrestleMania.
After laughing at the gift, Punk expressed his appreciation, saying,
I really love it so much. I appreciate it.
—CM Punk, Professional Wrestler
Danhausen teased that wearing the shirt live at SummerSlam would almost guarantee Punk a World Heavyweight Title win, to which Punk jokingly replied that such a televised appearance might cause trouble for Danhausen.
Cody Rhodes Reflects on Late Father’s Basketball Legacy
On a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes shared nostalgic memories of his father, WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. A video resurfacing of Dusty playing basketball sparked Cody’s recollection of a charity game between NWA wrestlers and the Charlotte Police Department, where Dusty, fiercely competitive, humorously threatened to fire teammates Sting and Lex Luger if they lost.
Cody described Dusty’s unexpected basketball talents, noting,
[Dusty] was the best basketball player I’ve ever seen in my life. He didn’t look it… It’s against the Charlotte Police Department.
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion
He added,
If you ask Lex Luger or Sting, who are both in it, just running. If you ask them about it, they say Dusty had a meeting before where he said, ‘If we lose to the police, you’re all fired,’ and they just went off. All these shots.
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion
Implications for Wrestling’s Competitive Landscape
The maneuvers by WWE to schedule key matches opposite major AEW events demonstrate the ongoing competition between the two promotions for market dominance. WWE’s tactics aim to contain AEW’s ascendancy while reinforcing its own position. The planned Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena pay-per-view and Cena’s shifted retirement date highlight WWE’s commitment to drawing attention away from AEW’s marquee shows.
Meanwhile, personal moments like the unusual gift from Danhausen to CM Punk add a human dimension to the wrestling narrative, illustrating the camaraderie and unique culture within the industry. Cody Rhodes’s reflections on Dusty Rhodes further connect the present stars to their storied past, reminding fans of wrestling’s rich history as the rivalries and alliances continue to shape its future.
