John Cena is scheduled to retire in December 2025, with his last match still uncertain. Known as The Last Real Champion, Cena has faced prominent wrestlers such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, and R-Truth during his Farewell Tour, and he is set to face Brock Lesnar at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event.
After Brock Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam, many fans assumed he would be Cena’s final opponent, but the actual retirement match has yet to be announced, leaving speculation about who will face Cena in his career’s closing chapter.
Rob Van Dam Advocates for The Rock as Cena’s Final Opponent
Rob Van Dam, who has a notable history with John Cena dating back to ECW One Night Stand 2006 where he defeated Cena for the WWE Championship in New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, believes The Rock should be Cena’s last opponent. Although RVD nearly rejoined the Farewell Tour, the match never materialized.
The Rock. The Rock, The Rock, The Rock. That’s definitely as big as you can go, bro. Where are you going to go from there?
—Rob Van Dam, Former WWE Champion
Currently, The Rock is focused on his Hollywood career and recently showcased a changed physique while promoting his new film, The Smashing Machine. Meanwhile, John Cena has fewer than ten matches remaining on his Farewell Tour, adding urgency to the search for his ultimate opponent.
Impact of Backstage Politics on WWE Careers
Backstage dynamics and internal politics continue to affect WWE storylines and wrestler opportunities. A former star revealed that a popular tag team never won gold due to backstage friction, highlighting the ongoing challenges within WWE’s creative environment.
The Effects on Other WWE Stars and Storylines
As John Cena’s final matches approach, speculation grows about who will benefit from a victory over him. Some five-time WWE champions may not gain as much from beating Cena late in his career. Additionally, WWE has recently revamped the character El Grande Americano, indicating other evolving storylines within the company.
AJ Styles, another prominent wrestler, appears to be exploring business opportunities beyond WWE, signaling potential changes in his wrestling career. Meanwhile, a trademark lawsuit involving Cody Rhodes, WWE, Wesely Eisold, and Fanatics adds legal drama behind the scenes.
Fans also witnessed nostalgic moments such as AJ Lee reconnecting with a WWE star after more than a decade, and speculations about Jey Uso’s reunion with his brother Jimmy to reform The Usos, which could change ongoing tag team dynamics.
Liv Morgan’s recent injury absence from WWE programming sparked theories around how her return might influence Dominik Mysterio’s character direction, possibly shifting him to a babyface role.
Significance of Cena’s Final Match and WWE’s Future Direction
John Cena’s retirement match will mark the end of an era for WWE, symbolizing the close of a remarkable career filled with iconic battles. Choosing an opponent like The Rock could provide a fitting and historic finale, given their vast influence and legacies in professional wrestling.
The outcome of Cena’s final match and subsequent WWE storylines will undoubtedly shape the company’s direction in the following years, as new stars rise and established veterans transition away from the ring. Fans eagerly await confirmation of Cena’s last challenger and the memorable moments that will define his farewell.
