John Cena is likely to deliver a significant farewell on the September 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, marking a milestone in his wrestling career. This event may represent the John Cena final SmackDown appearance before he moves closer to retirement.
With fewer than ten appearances remaining in his WWE tenure, the path to Cena’s retirement match is becoming more defined. According to insiders, the September 4 SmackDown at Chicago’s Allstate Arena is quietly expected by some within WWE to be Cena’s last time on this particular brand.
Why September 4 Holds Special Meaning in Cena’s Career
Sources indicate that Cena has roughly seven dates left as part of his schedule, with only two yet to be officially announced. Given this, it seems unlikely that any future date will be a SmackDown event, which means his debut and final SmackDown matches both took place in the same venue. Cena originally made his main roster debut on the June 27, 2002 SmackDown episode at Allstate Arena by answering Kurt Angle’s open challenge, famously declaring he had “ruthless aggression.”
This full-circle moment highlights the significance of the Chicago appearance as his possible final SmackDown performance in WWE.
Upcoming Matches and Retirement Plans
While Cena’s complete WWE schedule has not been fully detailed, he is confirmed to be part of Crown Jewel Perth on October 11, and Survivor Series WarGames on November 29. His final official match, which will actually mark his retirement, is slated for a special Saturday Night’s Main Event in December.
Most recently, Cena competed at the Clash in Paris event where he secured a victory against Logan Paul. These appearances make it clear that Cena is gradually winding down his in-ring career while still maintaining a presence in WWE.
Industry Confirmation of Final SmackDown Appearance
The expectation surrounding Cena’s potential last SmackDown night has been publicly noted by independent wrestling news outlet WrestleVotes. They shared,
“We’re told some within WWE are quietly expecting tomorrow night to be John Cena’s final SmackDown. According to a source, with only seven remaining dates left—and just two yet to be announced—it’s unlikely another will be a SmackDown event, meaning Cena will have debuted and ended his run on the blue brand in the very same building, Chicago’s Allstate Arena.”
—WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) September 4, 2025
Implications for WWE Fans and the Wrestling Landscape
John Cena has been a cornerstone of WWE for over two decades, and his final SmackDown appearance signifies the closing of an era for the blue brand. As he approaches his retirement match, fans can expect a nostalgic and emotional atmosphere at upcoming events, especially in Chicago where it all began for him on SmackDown.
With his scheduled appearances at Crown Jewel Perth and Survivor Series WarGames, Cena will continue to contribute to high-profile WWE shows before his December farewell. The end of his active wrestling days will leave a notable gap in the WWE roster, one that will inevitably lead to new stars rising to fill his role.
