Following a decisive loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, John Cena has taken control of the next phase of his John Cena Retirement Tour, recently stating on Instagram that he is now “the captain.” With just five appearances remaining, Cena is set to create memorable moments for wrestling fans during his farewell run.
Here are five pivotal events likely to shape the final chapter of Cena’s illustrious career in the ring.
Anticipated Clash with AJ Styles at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth
John Cena sparked excitement when he engaged fans on X, asking for their opinions about a potential match against AJ Styles. The overwhelmingly positive reaction prompted Triple H to officially announce their encounter will take place at the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event in Perth next month. This match is expected to be a highly technical showdown, showcasing their renowned rivalry with a clear finish, marking what could be their concluding face-off before Cena’s retirement this December.
Returning Home to Chase the Intercontinental Championship on RAW
After the high-profile bout against Styles in Australia, Cena will headline the November 10 episode of RAW in Boston, Massachusetts—his hometown. Given the emotional significance, WWE’s creative team is likely to make this final hometown appearance unforgettable by having Cena capture the Intercontinental Championship. Currently, Dominik Mysterio holds the title and will defend it against Rusev soon; should Mysterio retain, a match between him and Cena is expected as part of the retirement tour’s storyline progression.
Potential Title Defense Against Sheamus Aiming for Grand Slam Glory
Should Cena secure the Intercontinental Championship, he will achieve the status of WWE Grand Slam Champion. However, fellow veteran Sheamus is also pursuing this milestone and needs the IC Title to complete his own Grand Slam. WWE could set up a dramatic title defense on the November 17 episode of RAW, Cena’s final active appearance on the red brand. This rivalry echoes their 2009 TLC clash, where Sheamus stunned the wrestling world by defeating Cena. A repeat upset would add significant weight to Cena’s farewell narrative.
Last Major Showdown: The Men’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series 2025
Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 is positioned as Cena’s final pay-per-view as an in-ring competitor. Featuring the Men’s WarGames Match, this event offers Cena a chance to confront a faction he previously encountered during Night of Champions. Participating in this intense, high-stakes match before retirement would allow Cena to deliver one more remarkable performance and bring resolution to ongoing feuds.
Farewell at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII in Washington, D.C.
Cena’s last wrestling match is scheduled for December 13 during Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII, broadcasting live from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Rumors suggest Gunther may be Cena’s final opponent, though this is yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the opponent, this event will be an emotional moment for wrestling fans across generations, witnessing one of the sport’s greatest performers conclude his in-ring journey.
“he is captain now.” ?John Cena, Wrestler
.@JohnCena vs. @AJStylesOrg is a match we all want to see. And at #WWECrownJewel…we will.
Saturday, October 11 on @espn & @netflix. https://t.co/PhF5NM6AoC pic.twitter.com/Z7nsRuXwTb
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 23, 2025
