John Cena’s retirement tour is drawing to a close in 2025, with just a few dates left before he officially retires from in-ring competition. This tour, designed to give fans a chance to see Cena perform one last time, originally included between 35 and 40 appearances, most of which have already taken place by early September.
The final stretch of the tour features seven confirmed events still to come, each emphasizing Cena’s “last time” in different cities, allowing fans to bid farewell in person. One of the most anticipated matches remaining is scheduled for September 20 at Wrestlepalooza, where Cena will face off against Brock Lesnar, known as The Beast Incarnate. The rest of Cena’s opponents for these last matches have yet to be revealed.
Possible Opponents Who Could Defeat Cena
While WWE is expected to have Cena win the majority of his final contests, wrestling commentator Sam Roberts offered a different perspective on his Notsam Wrestling podcast. Roberts shared a shortlist of three WWE stars he believes should earn victories over Cena during the tour to add meaningful moments to Cena’s farewell run.
Those chosen by Roberts were Dominik Mysterio, Drew McIntyre, and Bron Breakker. He expressed clear preferences about who should realistically secure wins against Cena, stressing that not all three should defeat him, but only two might justifiably do so.
“The only two people that I’m comfortable with beating John Cena, I guess, there are three. I wouldn’t mind if Braun Breaker got a roll up. I wouldn’t mind if Dominic Mysterio beat John Cena, and I would really like to see Drew McIntyre beat John Cena. Drew McIntyre with a Claymore, but I wouldn’t want all three of them to do it. Two of those three may beat John Cena. This is my rule now. Dominic Mysterio, Drew McIntyre, Bronn Breaker. And I’m starting to get shaky on Bron Breaker.” —Sam Roberts, Wrestling Analyst
Roberts specifically praised Drew McIntyre’s powerful Claymore Kick as a fitting way for Cena to be defeated. Although he mentioned Bron Breakker’s potential upset with a roll-up pin, Roberts admitted some hesitation over fully endorsing Breakker as a victor. His condition reflects an attempt to maintain prestige and impact in Cena’s final matches while allowing for surprising outcomes.
Details on the Remaining Tour Matchups
The retirement tour’s upcoming matches have been attracting focused fan attention, especially the highly publicized bout against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. Lesnar is a longtime rival and one of the few wrestlers capable of challenging Cena’s prowess in a dramatic showdown. The remaining unannounced opponents provide WWE with flexibility to craft compelling stories for Cena’s swan song.
These appearances not only celebrate Cena’s decades-long career but also serve as key moments to elevate future top stars by having them face and potentially defeat a legend. The careful selection of these opponents could influence WWE’s landscape in the years following Cena’s retirement.
The Broader Wrestling Landscape Amid Cena’s Farewell
Meanwhile, the world of professional wrestling continues to shift outside Cena’s circle. For example, WWE Hall of Famers have made surprise appearances, contributing to ongoing narratives on shows like RAW. Christian Cage in AEW remains focused on his personal goals, indicating continued competition between wrestling promotions.
Other stars, such as MJF in AEW, have recently impacted title matches, while Jon Moxley prepares for his first brutal match at AEW All Out. Additionally, the possibility of major AEW talent making a comeback has fans speculating about fresh rivalries. WWE legends, like AJ Styles, are also navigating contract and storyline developments, keeping the wrestling world vibrant during Cena’s final run.
The Significance of Potential Wins Over Cena
John Cena’s retirement tour is more than a farewell; it is a chance to pass the torch to the next generation of WWE superstars. Victories over Cena during this tour would be highly symbolic, elevating wrestlers like McIntyre, Mysterio, or Breakker in the eyes of fans and peers alike. This makes the choice of who might beat Cena a critical element of WWE’s legacy planning.
As Cena’s tour concludes, the outcomes of his last matches will shape how fans remember this era, while setting up storylines and rivalries for the future. WWE’s decisions on these matches may affect the company’s direction, emphasizing rising talent while honoring one of its greatest icons.
