Nic Nemeth Pitches Shocking Opponent and Stipulation for John Cena’s Final WWE Match

Nic Nemeth believes that John Cena should compete in a gauntlet match with his final opponent being The Rock.

Nic Nemeth Pitches Shocking Opponent and Stipulation for John Cena’s Final WWE Match

John Cena, The Rock and Nic Nemeth (via WWE and Wrestling Inc.)

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John Cena’s retirement tour currently features around 11 scheduled dates before he officially hangs up his boots in December later this year. The 17-time World Champion has already shared the ring with legends like CM Punk and Randy Orton, as well as current stars such as Cody Rhodes, making his farewell run a memorable one. Still, the big question remains: who will Cena face in his final match?

One of Cena’s most iconic rivals, TNA star Nic Nemeth, believes he has the answer. The erstwhile Dolph Ziggler recently appeared on Jonathan Coachman’s podcast Show Off The Ropes, where ‘The Coach’ pitched the idea of Cena’s swansong being a gauntlet match. The concept would see Cena face a mix of legends and rising stars, all within a span of 20 minutes.

Coach explained that such a format could highlight Cena’s greatest opponents while also giving the new generation a platform. Nemeth, who feuded with Cena in 2013 alongside AJ Lee, loved the idea and pitched his additions. 

That’s a really great idea because there is so many people in his past. And then it opens the door to like, you get a rub. So, like, you get an Oba Femi, comes out, wooo, we’re putting over NXT. This goes in the record books. Bron Breakker comes out, he [John Cena] eats a spear, barely kicks out, and he gets a roll up on him. Oh, who’s coming out next? Then you get Seth Rollins with his group all around the ring, and then someone saves him.

Nic Nemeth via Show Off The Ropes

The former World Heavyweight Champion and Money in the Bank winner then revealed how he would book The Rock to close out Cena’s Hall of Fame-worthy career.

They break down, then you get Carmelo Hayes, [who] comes out. You’re like, ‘What?’ Then Randy’s music. Hell, Brock’s music hits. Just, ‘What the hell?’ And then finally, you get one last holy sh*t moment, and everybody loses it. And maybe it’s Rock. And he walks down and he walks out. He’s got the vest on, he’s not even ready to wrestle, and then he like points or he says, ‘One more time, right now. Ring the bell.

Nic Nemeth via Show Off The Ropes

Reports suggest Cena’s final match could directly compete with AEW’s Worlds End event, part of WWE’s counter-programming strategy aimed at slowing down Tony Khan’s company as it approaches crucial TV renewal talks in 2027–28. This move could mark the start of a new wrestling war reminiscent of the late ’90s battles between Monday Night Raw and Monday Nitro.

Adding more fuel, Brock Lesnar, who made a shocking return at SummerSlam, is rumored to face Cena in a major PLE, which WWE plans to schedule against AEW’s All Out on September 20. How Cena’s retirement tour fits into WWE’s aggressive approach toward AEW remains one of the most intriguing storylines in wrestling right now.

John Cena weighs in on the physical condition of his body after 23 years in the WWE

John Cena’s WWE career is forever tied to the Ruthless Aggression Era, the company’s powerful follow-up to the Attitude Era that introduced fans to future icons like Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Batista, and, of course, the ‘Leader of the Cenation’ himself. These four are now known as the OVW Class of 2002.

One of the defining moments of that era came in 2002, when a young Cena made his SmackDown debut against Kurt Angle. After stepping up to Angle, Cena boldly declared “Ruthless Aggression” as his defining trait before attacking him, a moment now etched in WWE history.

John Cena and Kurt Angle
John Cena and Kurt Angle (via WWE)

Fast forward 23 years, and Cena is halfway through his farewell tour, with just 11 dates remaining. Nearly 25 years after debuting as a virtual unknown, the 17-time World Champion is preparing to close this chapter of his life. Cena announced in 2024 at Money in the Bank in Toronto that he would officially retire at the end of 2025.

Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he reflected on his beginnings, even watching clips of his 2002 debut match against Angle. Though he lost, Angle himself admitted being impressed with Cena’s “ruthless aggression.” Moreover, he even reflected on his WWE career and admitted that the end is near. 

Every part of me [wishes there was more time left], but my body is screaming at me to close the chapter…. I’ve just always kind of been reliable and showing up and doing whatever I’m asked. And I really want this tour to be not only special — it’ll always be special for me because you guys are out there. I want it to be special for the business. My goal has always been to leave WWE better than I found it.

John Cena via The Tonight Show

John Cena’s next big stop comes on August 31 at Clash in Paris, where he faces Logan Paul in what promises to be another marquee moment. With only a handful of matches left, fans are eagerly waiting to see which other legends will step into the ring with him before his storied career comes to a close.

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