John Cena’s Retirement Outing Gets a Comprehensive 16-Man Tournament Stipulation

With just four appearences left and his swansong set for December 13th, John Cena's final WWE match gets a surprising twist.

John Cena’s Retirement Outing Gets a Comprehensive 16-Man Tournament Stipulation

John Cena's retirement outing (via WWE)

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The November 1st edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event will be remembered not only for CM Punk and Cody Rhodes leaving Salt Lake City with championship gold, but also for a major update on John Cena’s final run in WWE.

During the show, the 17-Time World Champion appeared via a pre-recorded video message to announce that a 16-man tournament will determine the Superstar who gets the honor of facing him in his final match on December 13th at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.

The tournament, titled ‘The Last Time is Now, will begin on the November 10th episode of Raw in Cena’s hometown of Boston, marking his third-to-last WWE appearance. According to Cena, the tournament’s participants will be chosen at random, featuring a mix of Superstars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and possibly even wrestlers outside of the Titan Towers.

During the announcement, clips of Penta, Carmelo Hayes, Gunther, Rusev, Dominik Mysterio, and Bronson Reed were shown, teasing some of the potential entrants. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Cena might face Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series on November 29th in San Diego. 

His final opponent, however, could be Gunther, who is expected to return soon after recovering from nose surgery following his SummerSlam world title loss. Having already shared the ring with icons like AJ Styles, CM Punk, Randy Orton, and Cody Rhodes, fans are eager to see who will be chosen to battle Cena in the last four appearances of his legendary career.

Drew McIntyre challenges John Cena not just for a wrestling bout but for a verbal showdown

While Drew McIntyre may have come up short against Cody Rhodes in his bid for the WWE Championship, the Scottish Warrior could still face John Cena in the 17-time World Champion’s retirement match. But for McIntyre, it’s not just about sharing the ring with Cena but about proving himself against him in one of the areas where Cena has always excelled: mic and promo skills.

John Cena and Drew McIntyre
John Cena and Drew McIntyre (via WWE)

In a recent interview with The Sport Bible, McIntyre praised Cena’s unmatched verbal prowess and revealed his desire to go head-to-head with him on the microphone before sending him back to Hollywood.

I know a lot of people online, and the chatter… a lot of people in the locker room, saying, ‘I would love to see you guys not just wrestle, but get on the microphone together’, because there’s so few people that can keep up with Cena, he is the absolute GOAT on the microphone when it comes to shredding people.

Drew McIntyre via The Sport Bible

According to McIntyre, Cena’s ability to think on his feet sets him apart from nearly everyone else in the business. He noted that Cena isn’t just great at preparing material in advance but has a rare instinct for adapting and delivering on the spot, something the former World Champion both respects and is eager to test himself against.

McIntyre also reflected on his rivalry with CM Punk, which he credits as a key moment in proving his own credibility on the mic. For years, critics dismissed him as just a big guy and a good wrestler who lacked charisma. 

Determined to change that narrative, McIntyre used his feud with Punk to showcase a sharper, more confident side of himself, earning praise for his fiery promos and newfound command of the spotlight. Meanwhile, Cena’s reputation as one of the best talkers in WWE history speaks for itself. 

His early run as ‘The Doctor of Thuganomics’ made him famous for his ruthless freestyle rap battles, while his classic verbal exchanges with The Rock and Roman Reigns remain some of the most memorable moments in history. Now, with Cena approaching the end of his career, McIntyre hopes to finally stand across from him, not just in a battle of strength, but in a battle of words.

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