The first-ever WWE ID Champions are set to be crowned during the GCW-WWE ID Showcase at the SummerSlam weekend event. The inaugural Women’s Championship will be determined by a triple threat match involving Kylie Rae, Zara Zakher, and Zayda Steel, while the Men’s Championship will be decided through a tournament format. The semifinals of this tournament will take place on July 19 at the House Of Champions Presents The ID Showcase event in Orlando, Florida.
The tournament features quarterfinal matchups like Jack Cartwheel versus Sean Legacy and Bryce Donovan facing Cappuccino Jones. The semifinals will then pit Brad Baylor against the winner of Cartwheel or Legacy, while Ice Williams will compete against the victor between Donovan and Jones. This structure sets the stage for an exciting buildup to the crowning of the new men’s champion.
BREAKING NEWS….
The quarterfinals and semi-finals of the WWE ID Men’s Title Tournament will be July 19th in Orlando, FL when HOC presents The ID Showcase!
The matches will be:
Quarterfinal: Jack Cartwheel vs. Sean Legacy
Semi-Final: Brad Baylor vs. Cartwheel/Legacy winner…
— WWE ID (@WWEID) July 8, 2025
Wrestling Star MJF Shares Aspirations to Collaborate with John Cena
In a recent interview with TV Insider, wrestler and actor Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of working alongside John Cena, especially following his role in Happy Gilmore 2. MJF revealed his admiration for Cena’s career, both inside and outside of wrestling, pointing to Cena as a prime figure he hopes to collaborate with at some point.
MJF also spoke warmly about working with actor Adam Sandler, expressing gratitude and describing the experience as familial and supportive. He credited Sandler with encouraging him to remain authentic in public and media settings, a piece of advice that resonated deeply with him given the mixed public perception he often encounters.
Obviously. I want to work with John Cena at some point in my career. That would mean an awful lot to me. Whether that is inside the wrestling bubble or outside the wrestling bubble. That’s the first name that comes to mind for sure. I would say I have to throw Dave Bautista on that list too. Also, my good buddy Paul Walter Hauser. I think he is one of the best actors in the world. To be involved in a project with him would be an awful lot.
— MJF
I think the best advice came from Adam when I was picking his brain. He just told me to be myself. Whether I’m doing these media rounds or out in public, he told me to be myself. That was lovely to hear because a lot of people don’t really like me very much. I enjoyed that advice.
— MJF
He is. He is also a big MJF fan, and I’m a big Adam Sandler fan.
— MJF
This is my second film. I also got to executive produce The Iron Claw. This film I’d say I for sure have a bigger role in. I loved every second of it. It felt like I was shooting with family. Very rarely do I feel like that in any environment. I don’t know if you realize this about me, but I can be a little bit prickly. I enjoyed being a Gilmore. I felt I will be a Gilmore for the rest of my life. I feel like whatever success that occurs in my career outside of the wrestling bubble I’m going to owe so much to Adam Sandler moving forward. If he ever needs anything, if his family ever needs anything, I would be there at the drop of a dime.
— MJF
Jon Stewart Critiques Media Narratives and Political Theater Around Budget Bill
On the latest episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart offered a pointed critique of the media’s coverage surrounding the passage of a contentious Republican-backed spending package. The bill, ironically labeled the “Big Beautiful Bill,” includes significant Medicaid cuts totaling $930 billion over ten years, threatening to remove health coverage from up to 17 million Americans. It also cuts $68.6 billion from SNAP, jeopardizing food assistance for millions, and limits access to reproductive healthcare for about one million people.
Stewart slammed news outlets for dramatizing the bill’s passage, mocking the unfolding media spectacle as scripted political theater rather than genuine suspense. He likened the coverage to professional wrestling’s staged drama, pointing out that “no” votes by Republican senators are often just for show, enabling the agenda to proceed while allowing senators plausible deniability.
Or …. we could talk about the media’s narrative — dramatizing the fragility of Trump’s ruling coalition and what that could possibly mean.
— Jon Stewart
Like every f*cking thing Trump has wanted. From Qatari jet bribes to the Epstein file secrecy to media conglomerates paying hush money. I can’t believe ABC paid that. That was so f*cked up… I’ll let myself out,
— Jon Stewart
But every time something comes up that ‘Trump’s never getting,’ and then he gets it, the media is shocked — without ever admitting that the Republican ‘no’ votes are just for show. It’s theater. A way to give senators plausible deniability while keeping the agenda on track.
— Jon Stewart
Look at old tubes. What a surprise! I can’t believe he showed up! Like we rehearsed. It should’ve been obvious the bill would pass the day they scheduled the vote. The ‘no’ votes were all scripted.
— Jon Stewart
Stewart further illustrated his point by referencing his own 2015 SummerSlam appearance, where he interfered in Seth Rollins’ match against John Cena, influencing the bout’s outcome. He compared the media’s over-the-top shock to professional wrestling announcers feigning surprise at every scripted twist, reinforcing the idea that much political drama is planned performance.
WWE Hall of Famer JBL Suggests Ideal Opponents for John Cena’s Final Bow
During a recent episode of the Something To Wrestle With podcast, WWE Hall of Famer JBL shared his perspective on who might be best suited to face John Cena in his retirement match. JBL named three potential opponents, including two seasoned legends and a rising star from a notable wrestling family, emphasizing the importance of both legacy and unexpected matchups that can elevate emerging talent.
JBL expressed enthusiasm about matches involving Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, noting both would create highly anticipated bouts. He also highlighted The Rock, citing his pivotal role in John Cena’s career and his status as one of the world’s most recognizable stars. JBL suggested that The Rock’s involvement would add significant prestige to Cena’s farewell.
I think one of two people. Actually, one of three, one of three people… I think Brock would be awesome. I also think Roman would be awesome. I think both of those would be incredible matches. But I think The Rock — I mean, that’s kind of it. Because The Rock kind of helped him turn heel. The Rock had done so much, plus The Rock’s the biggest movie star in the freaking world. I guess, maybe the biggest star in the world… I think The Rock would be great.
— JBL
Beyond the established stars, JBL also offered his pick for a lesser-known opponent who could benefit greatly from the spotlight sharing the ring with Cena. He mentioned Jacob Fatu as a surprising but promising contender, emphasizing the value of John Cena passing the torch to a rising talent.
JBL reminisced about one of his favorite matches where Cena faced Umaga, underscoring the magic that can occur when an established star elevates a newer competitor. He believes a similar dynamic could help launch Jacob Fatu’s career to new heights.
I think he and Jacob Fatu could do that. I think Jey Uso would be good. So I think there are a couple of choices. I don’t know who they have in the pipeline that they really want to build up. Cena is a great talent scout, and I bet you he has an idea of — I bet Cena has an idea. If you pull John aside, because he’s a really smart guy. And if you pulled him aside and said, ‘Okay, create a legacy bout.’ He would he would know whether that was The Rock or Brock or whoever. ‘Create just a great match.’ He would know, or ‘create a match where you’re gonna put somebody over.’ And then a fourth one, ‘Create a match where you’re gonna put somebody over that nobody expects.’ I guarantee you he has all four names.
— JBL
JBL also touched on the tradition among veteran wrestlers to not finish their careers with a victory, often choosing to elevate younger performers in their farewell match, which he predicts will likely be John Cena’s approach to his final appearance in the ring.
Reflection on Wrestling, Media, and Legacy
The upcoming ID Showcase event, the ongoing conversations around John Cena’s upcoming farewell match, and the broader cultural intersections of wrestling, Hollywood, and politics highlight the evolving landscape of professional wrestling. Figures like MJF and JBL emphasize both respect for tradition and the importance of creating new legacy moments that elevate future stars.
John Cena’s final match opponent remains a topic of speculation and excitement, with the names suggested reflecting a balance between honoring established legends like The Rock and enabling unexpected talents like Jacob Fatu to rise. This decision will carry significant weight for the wrestling world as Cena’s legendary career moves toward its conclusion.
Meanwhile, cultural observers such as Jon Stewart remind audiences that much like the scripted drama in professional wrestling, political events and media narratives often blend reality with performance. This layered dynamic adds another dimension to wrestling’s place in entertainment and public discourse.
The coming weeks, including the SummerSlam weekend and subsequent WWE events, will be critical in shaping storylines and legacies, positioning Cena’s farewell and new championship reigns as focal points for wrestling fans nationwide.
