The John Cena Classic does not have a date or venue locked in following its announcement at Backlash, according to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select.
One source told WrestleVotes that an early December timeframe would make logistical sense given WWE’s calendar, and would coincide with the one-year anniversary of John Cena’s final match. A separate source indicated that Netflix almost immediately expressed interest in hosting the event on its platform, though that has not been finalized.
Very little about the concept has been locked in at this stage.
John Cena announced the John Cena Classic during Backlash, describing it as a fan-voted championship concept built around main roster versus NXT matches.
“You, the audience, the fan, will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic. Every participant qualifies, which also means for the first time in history, a superstar might not win their match, but their hustle could earn your respect, win your heart, win your vote, and you can still crown them the John Cena Classic Champion.”
Questions have been raised about whether the fan vote will be open to the general public or gated behind the Club WWE membership program that Cena announced alongside the Classic concept. Bayley has publicly reacted to a reported pitch for her to face NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley at the event. Cena himself has acknowledged there is a chance the concept could be a complete failure.