As John Cena prepares for the conclusion of his wrestling career, fans are eager to learn who will face him in his final match. One likely candidate is Rusev, Cena’s former WrestleMania rival, who has recently returned to WWE and dominated the RAW roster. Their renewed rivalry could mark Cena’s farewell bout.
Rusev has dispatched notable opponents such as Sheamus and Penta, demonstrating his power and skill. The Bulgarian Brute and Cena have a shared history dating back to 2015, when they clashed over the United States Championship. Cena famously ended Rusev’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania 31. Since their last encounter in 2017, the two have not competed against each other, but the timing of Cena’s retirement tour on RAW opens a door for their paths to cross once more.
Rusev’s Perspective on Facing Cena One Last Time
In a recent interview with Voxcatch, Rusev expressed enthusiasm for a rematch with Cena but cautioned that he might not be the best opponent for a farewell tour because of the physical toll it could take on Cena. He admitted he could easily overpower Cena, making their confrontation intense and possibly detrimental to John’s well-being.
“Oh, that would be absolutely yes, sir (…) Will I hurt him? Yes, sir. Will I beat him? Yes, sir. So maybe I’m not going to be an appropriate opponent for a farewell John Cena tour.”
The 39-year-old wrestler described the possibility of retiring Cena as a symbolic closure for his own career, emphasizing a sense of karmic justice.
“Well, I think it’s going to be a great passing of the torch if I just get to beat him. Uh, I mean, yeah, that would be a fantastic farewell for him, you know, because he started my career, now I can end his, which is going to be very appropriate and karma always strikes back, you know, at the end of the day.”
John Cena’s Upcoming Match at WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025
While a showdown with Rusev remains a possibility, Cena currently faces a fierce challenge from Brock Lesnar, who is determined to dismantle him. Lesnar made a dramatic return at SummerSlam by delivering an F5 to Cena, followed by multiple F5s during an attack on SmackDown in Chicago. This aggression culminated in Lesnar costing Cena a United States Championship victory in what was Cena’s final SmackDown appearance.
The two are scheduled to meet in a high-stakes singles match at WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20, 2025, intensifying the anticipation of Cena’s closing chapter in the ring. Whether Cena can overcome Lesnar and secure a triumphant farewell remains to be seen.
What Cena’s Final Opponent Could Mean for WWE Fans
With emotions running high and the WWE Universe watching closely, the identity of John Cena’s WrestleMania final opponent carries significant weight. A match against Rusev would revive a storied rivalry and provide a dramatic, full-circle conclusion to Cena’s career. Conversely, his match with Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza is shaping up to be a brutal contest that could define his legacy.
Both potential opponents bring different narratives and challenges, ensuring that Cena’s farewell will be a memorable event in WWE history. Fans can expect intense competition and meaningful storytelling as The Franchise Player approaches the end of an era.
—H/T Voxcatch, transcription credit to Sportskeeda Wrestling
