As John Cena’s retirement tour nears its conclusion in 2025, <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE fans eagerly anticipate his final matches, focusing on his upcoming opponents. The John Cena retirement tour opponents are shaping up to include some of the biggest names in wrestling, making his farewell run highly anticipated.
A Definitive Third Match Against Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes has become one of John Cena’s fiercest rivals during this final chapter of Cena’s career. The two have clashed twice in major pay-per-view events this year: WrestleMania 41 and SummerSlam. Cena triumphed at WrestleMania 41 by capturing the WWE undisputed championship, but Rhodes evened the score by winning the title back at SummerSlam.
With their head-to-head record currently tied at one victory apiece, many believe Cena and Rhodes deserve a trilogy match to determine a conclusive winner. This third bout would serve as a fitting capstone to their intense rivalry throughout Cena’s retirement tour.
Renewed Hostility With CM Punk
Despite being a rivalry that began over a decade ago, John Cena’s feud with CM Punk has regained momentum in 2025. Their decade-old conflict flared up again after Punk’s pipe bomb promo was revisited during a June SmackDown episode, reigniting the heat between the two wrestlers.
Following this resurgence, Cena and Punk squared off once more at Night of Champions, where Cena secured the win this time. Given the renewed tension and memorable moments, including Punk’s cameo as the ‘Doctor of Thuganomics’ and Cena’s own pipe bomb reference, many fans hope for a final match to close this chapter definitively.
A Potential Trilogy Bout with Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns, despite being one of WWE’s most prominent stars, has had limited ring time in 2025 due to his commitments outside wrestling, including Hollywood projects. Although rumors suggested Reigns would return more frequently after SummerSlam, he has yet to make his in-ring comeback this year.
Should Reigns return, he would represent a top-tier opponent for Cena during the retirement tour. Their prior encounters—SummerSlam 2021 and No Mercy 2017—were highly praised by fans, making another match a compelling prospect. A victory for Cena could balance their rivalry record, as he is currently 0-2 against Reigns.
The Prospect of an Eleventh Clash Against Brock Lesnar
The intense rivalry between John Cena and Brock Lesnar stands as one of the most enduring and memorable in WWE history, with ten matches and six direct title showdowns to date. Lesnar’s unexpected appearance at SummerSlam following Cena’s defeat stirred considerable excitement among fans.
Lesnar’s decisive F-5 finishing move against Cena at that event left many eager for an eleventh contest to continue their saga. While some viewers questioned WWE’s choice to book Cena’s next match against Logan Paul at Clash in Paris, it remains likely that another Cena vs. Lesnar bout could take place before Cena’s retirement, providing fans with one last explosive encounter.
As John Cena’s retirement tour approaches its final stops, these four opponents — Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Brock Lesnar — stand out as the most compelling challengers to face in his farewell journey. Each rivalry carries its own history and significance, promising dramatic conclusions that will define Cena’s legacy in the ring.
