John Cena spent five hours coaching students at Seth Rollins and Marek Brave’s Black and Brave Wrestling Academy in Davenport, Iowa, then stayed an additional hour for one-on-one time with graduates.
The academy shared the visit on Instagram.
“We were honored to welcome the incomparable John Cena to the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy today! John spent 5 hours teaching, coaching, and answering questions and then spent an additional hour giving 1-on-1 time to many of our graduates. We cannot thank him enough for his incredible generosity.”
Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025 following his farewell tour. He most recently appeared at Backlash to announce the John Cena Classic.
Cena has expanded his acting and public-facing career by starring alongside Eric André in the comedy film Little Brother, which is slated to begin streaming globally on Netflix in June 2026. Also, Cena has expanded into motivational speaking and personal life coaching, making featured appearances at conventions such as MEGACON Orlando.
John Cena has revealed that the idea for the John Cena Classic came directly from his final match event, where he used the undercard to showcase main roster stars against NXT talent rather than filling the evening with career retrospectives.
Speaking to The Rich Eisen Show, Cena explained the origin of the concept and how it evolved.
“I can tell you I’m pumped and I can tell you this is an idea from me, and I can also tell you that this is going to get a lot of chatter too, because the audience is kind of every which way, but loose on this. I got the idea from that last event, that Saturday Night’s Main Event where Gunther and I were the close of the show. But the idea for the open of the show and the way I wanted to promote it was instead of doing a 90-minute tribute showing highlights and interviews of folks to essentially my career, there’s no pay it forward there. So I chose to use the rest of the evening as showcasing marquee superstars as a way to get crowds in the building and keep them excited. You hear the music of your favorite superstar, that’s great, and pair them up against the future of our business. Names like Sol Ruca, Je’Von Evans, certainly Oba Femi, they all kind of debuted on our grand stage that day.”
Cena said the response to that format convinced him to build on it.
“I thought the event went well. Not only was it well received by the audience, the talent felt like they were part of something new, and that was really important. So I got the idea from there, and then I kind of wanted to extend it a little bit more. I’m like, ‘how can we involve the fan base?’ So that’s where the fan vote came from, and then I tried to take it a little bit further in saying that, like, man — if you’re a talent and you go out and you actually tear the house down, but you’re this close to winning and maybe you came up short, you still have the opportunity to be in the running to see if you won the fan vote enough to be crowned champion.”
The John Cena Classic will feature main roster talent against NXT competitors, with a fan vote determining a winner across all bouts regardless of match outcome. Dave Meltzer previously reported that WWE had not finalized the format before Cena announced it at Backlash, with an early December timeframe being discussed internally.
17-time World Champion John Cena recently revealed the data-driven approach behind his decision to retire from in-ring competition. ‘The Leader of Cenation’ explained the specific tests and metrics he used to know it was time to hang up the boots.
In an interview with The Takedown on SI, Cena discussed how he relied on measurable performance indicators rather than emotion alone to make the retirement call.
The WWE legend highlighted that his decision was based on concrete data points that signaled his body could no longer perform at the level he demands of himself.
“As much as I love feel and I love passion, I also love data. I’m a strength athlete, so I consistently test one-rep max. I test vertical jump, all of these metrics, whatever they tested at the combine.
When these numbers start to go down, you look at it like, ‘Okay, why? I’m getting plenty of rest. I’m training on a regular schedule. I’m not eating like garbage. I’m hydrated. My caffeine intake is monitored. All the data lines up. You should be strong.’ And then you look at the age graphic, and you’re like, ‘Oh, man.’”
John Cena Saw Early Signs
Cena made it clear that he saw the signs as early as age 45. He explained:
“The game just looks too fast for me, because it is. I could change my style at the risk of ruining that energy that WWE invested in me. And that’s tough, because from an ego standpoint, you’ve got to step away from the audience. I love it. It’s great, but that’s not respectful to the fans and it’s not respectful to the company.”
The transition marks a shift for one of WWE’s most decorated superstars, who has been appearing as a special attraction rather than a full-time roster member in recent programming.
John Cena has shared the first trailer for his upcoming Netflix film Little Brother, which also stars Eric Andre and premieres June 26.
Cena posted the trailer on social media alongside a message about the project.
“Families come in all shapes, sizes, and even varying levels of ‘relation.’ I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this cast and crew family. They’ll make you laugh and cry — and Eric Andre will make you often do both. So excited for everyone to see Little Brother on Netflix June 26!”
The film follows a famous real estate agent, played by Cena, whose carefully curated world is upended when his eccentric little brother, played by Andre, unexpectedly reappears in his life.
Little Brother is directed by Matt Spicer, who previously directed Ingrid Goes West, and written by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, the filmmakers behind The D-Train.
17-time World Champion John Cena recently discussed his future with WWE.
During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, Cena, who retired from pro wrestling last year, shared his thoughts on staying involved with the company and his goals for contributing to the wrestling business.
Cena expressed enthusiasm about his current relationship with WWE. He mentioned enjoying watching the product and having fun during his recent appearances.
“It’s great, physically, I feel great,” Cena said. “Gosh, I love watching the product. As you saw, I was having a bunch of fun at WrestleMania. Really looking forward to the future and my future role in WWE.”
John Cena’s Vision For Contributing
The longtime WWE superstar highlighted his desire to give back to the industry that shaped his career. Cena explained that his focus centers on finding ways to provide value to WWE beyond in-ring competition.
“I just want to try to develop a way to pay it back and pay it forward for all the moments I was able to have,” Cena said. “My goal is to leave the business better than I found it and there has to be some acumen behind it. (This is) a chance for the business to continue to get energy from me, because they’ve given me so much energy.”
Cena has remained connected to WWE through various appearances this year. The veteran performer continues to explore opportunities to contribute to the company in different capacities.
17-time World Champion John Cena recently revealed that he discovered that he had a rare eye condition.
He had initially brushed off the symptoms as part of getting older. During an interview with PEOPLE, the ‘Leader of Cenation’ revealed that he began experiencing constant irritation in his eyes.
At 49, he initially assumed the issues were normal, but eventually decided to get his eyes checked to see if he needed glasses or a prescription.
“I had a lot of redness and itchiness, and every once in a while, waking up with eye crusties and stuff. At the same time, given my age — I’m 49 now — my vision was going a little bit, so I just figured it was par for the course. But because my vision was going, I needed to see if I needed glasses or prescriptions.”
Cena said that he avoided visiting a doctor for some time, convincing himself that the symptoms were likely caused by “lights,” “spending way too much time on my screen,” or simply “old age.”
John Cena Diagnosed With Rare Eye Condition
However, he decided to get his eyes checked, which led to a diagnosis of Demodex blepharitis. Cena said:
“Demodex blepharitis, which I didn’t even know existed.”
The former World Champion encouraged people to get regular eye checkups, comparing them to routine dental care. He said the examination and diagnosis were simple, and while he still needs reading glasses, the redness, itchiness, and crust around his eyes have gone away.
“I recommend that everybody do the same. A regular eye checkup is just as important as taking care of your teeth or anything else. The examination was easy. It’s certainly part of a regular eye exam, and the diagnosis was simple. Now, I still need my readers, but I don’t have that redness, that itchiness and certainly not waking up with the crusties.”
What is Demodex Blepharitis?
As per the Cleveland Clinic, Demodex blepharitis (DB) is an eyelid disease caused by an infestation of Demodex mites, microscopic parasites that live in hair follicles, which are commonly found on humans. The condition causes itchy eyes, puffy eyelids and crusty flakes along the eyelashes, according to
John Cena was prescribed XDEMVY — FDA-approved prescription eye drops from Tarsus Pharmaceuticals — and said that, “immediately, all that stuff went away.”
“Now, I still need my readers, but I don’t have that redness, that itchiness and certainly not waking up with the crusties,” Cena shares.
Cena admitted that he was surprised to learn that DB is a common but underdiagnosed eyelid condition affecting roughly 25 million Americans, and “that is just the people who’ve gone to their doctor and been checked out,” he noted.
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.
The John Cena Classic announced at WWE Backlash on Saturday is still being developed in real time, with Dave Meltzer reporting in the Wrestling Observer Daily Update that WWE had not yet determined what the event would actually look like before making the announcement in Tampa.
According to Meltzer, the John Cena Classic has been described to him as a work in progress, with WWE wanting to make the reveal at Backlash and proceeding with the announcement before the full details had been ironed out. No date, location, or definitive format for the event has been confirmed by the company.
Cena described the concept during his Backlash segment as a series of main roster versus NXT matches in which a fan vote determines the winner of a new John Cena Classic Championship, regardless of the actual match result.
Speculation about the format has split in two directions since the announcement. One theory is a tournament structure where advancement is determined by popular vote rather than in-ring result. The other is a standalone card of main roster versus NXT bouts, with all participants eligible for a championship vote at the end. Meltzer noted that neither reading has been confirmed and both remain speculative.
Questions have also surfaced about the fan vote mechanics, specifically whether voting will be open to the general public or restricted to members of the Club WWE membership program that Cena announced alongside the Classic concept at Backlash. Cena has since acknowledged publicly that the concept carries the risk of being a complete failure.
John Cena took to social media Sunday to defend the John Cena Classic, the new WWE event concept he announced at Backlash. The multi-time WWE Champion acknowledged the event may not be perfect but said it authentically represents his values.
“The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it’s authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs,” Cena wrote on X. “I’m aware that there is the risk it might be a total failure and I’m not afraid of that and believe it’s still worth stepping ‘in the arena.’”
Cena revealed the event concept at Backlash on Saturday in Tampa, Florida. The John Cena Classic will feature NXT wrestlers competing against WWE main roster stars, similar to the undercard of his final match in December.
When asked to give advice, especially with WWE, I often reply ‘be authentic’ ‘do not fear failure’ ‘know your why.’ The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it’s authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs. I’m aware that…
The event’s unique format allows fans to vote for the champion. Even wrestlers who lose their matches remain eligible to win the championship through the fan vote.
Cena explained his motivation for creating the event centers on providing opportunities for NXT talent. “My ‘why’ in WWE is to consistently be as useful as possible for as long as possible, with my in ring career at an end, my ‘why’ is to use whatever energy or relevance I have left in hopes to create a launchpad of opportunity for all talent to show their skills while simultaneously creating a unique experience for our dedicated fan base,” he wrote.
The WWE icon had promoted his Backlash appearance throughout the previous week, calling it a defining moment in his career. He thanked WWE for the opportunity and said more details about the John Cena Classic will be announced as the concept develops.
John Cena used his “history-making” moment at WWE Backlash to unveil the John Cena Classic, a new yearly event built around a championship that fans, not match results, will decide.
The Classic will pit main roster talent against NXT talent, with the winner taking home a brand-new Cena Classic Championship. The twist: the title doesn’t go to whoever wins their match. It goes to whoever the fans vote for. Every participant qualifies, including the losers. A wrestler can drop their bout and still walk away as champion if the audience picks them.
WWE has not yet announced when the Classic will take place or where it will be held.
Cena teased the announcement for days leading into Backlash, promising news that would “shock the very foundation of WWE.” The premium live event aired Saturday night from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with WWE officially unveiling the format on its X account during the broadcast.
The fan-vote mechanic is unusual for a WWE championship and turns the audience itself into the deciding factor of who wears the title. With every entrant eligible regardless of how they perform between the ropes, the format could become a popularity contest in the most literal sense, and a clear vehicle for getting NXT names in front of the main roster audience.
Further details on the Classic, including dates, qualifying matches, and the championship design, are expected in the coming weeks.
John Cena is hours away from delivering what he has described as another defining moment in a career already full of them, with the retired 16-time world champion set to make a history-making announcement at WWE Backlash tonight in Tampa, Florida.
Cena posted on X this afternoon to build anticipation ahead of the show.
“My time in WWE has been filled with defining moments. We’re hours away from what will certainly be another. C U Tonight at #WWEBacklash!”
He had previously stated the announcement would “shock the very foundation of WWE” for both wrestlers and fans, framing it as something that will change the experience of the company for everyone involved rather than a simple personal milestone.
The announcement is expected to center on Club WWE, the company’s new fan membership program. WWE introduced Club WWE last month, offering a range of exclusive benefits including ticket pre-sales, merchandise collections, and bonus content. The program features a gold tier with an annual fee, though pricing has not been publicly disclosed and sign-ups are not yet officially open.
Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025 following his final match against GUNTHER at Saturday Night’s Main Event and has since taken on an ambassadorial role within WWE. He served as the promotional face for Club WWE’s initial launch and hosted both nights of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. His Backlash appearance marks another step in that post-retirement relationship with the company, with Dave Meltzer previously reporting that Cena is contracted for a number of appearances following WrestleMania.
Backlash 2026 begins at 6 p.m. ET tonight at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
John Cena will make a major announcement at WWE Backlash 2026 that he promises will have a massive impact across the company.
In a post on social media, Cena hyped that the announcement will affect everyone in WWE – the news will “shock the very foundation of WWE, from its fans to its superstars, from its champions down to its rookies.”
The 16-time world champion confirmed he will be in Tampa for Backlash 2026 in partnership with Club WWE.
Cena last appeared during both nights of WrestleMania 42. That marked his first WWE appearance since his retirement match against GUNTHER on December 13.
WWE has not revealed any details about what Cena plans to announce at Backlash 2026. The Premium Live Event takes place in Tampa in just a few days.
What do you think Cena will announce at Backlash this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
Cena appeared on the show in late 2020 alongside A$AP Ferg and Grimes. The episode featured a stunt where Cena threw Andre through a bookcase.
“I’m pretty sure I gave him a concussion. We’ve been in contact for a while,” Cena told Entertainment Weekly.
Despite the injury, the two have maintained a relationship. They will reunite on screen for Netflix’s Little Brother film, set to release on June 26.
What’s Next for Cena
Cena is scheduled to make “history making news” at WWE Backlash. The announcement comes as the 17-time world champion continues balancing his wrestling career with Hollywood projects.
Sports agent Nick LoPiccolo recently revealed that he once unknowingly drove off in John Cena’s Escalade.
LoPiccolo had mistaken it for his own identical vehicle and the mix-up happened after a WWE event where multiple matching SUVs were parked in the same area.
LoPiccolo shared the story during an appearance on BodySlam.net’s podcast with Famous Davis. He was discussing life around top WWE talent and the chaotic environment after shows when he recounted the incident.
“I accidentally took John Cena’s Escalade… I swear to God. Same color, same everything… same exact Escalade. I get in, I’m driving, I leave… I’m gone… and then I get a call like, ‘Where are you?’ and I’m like, ‘I’m in the car.’ And they’re like, ‘That’s not your car.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And they’re like, ‘That’s Cena’s Escalade.’ And I’m like, ‘What?!’ I literally took John Cena’s Escalade by accident… same exact car, same everything… I had no idea.”
Identical Vehicles Led to Mix-Up
The situation only occurred because both Escalades were identical in every way. There was nothing that would have tipped LoPiccolo off until someone else noticed and called him.
What started as a routine exit turned into LoPiccolo unknowingly driving away in one of wrestling’s biggest stars’ SUV.
John Cena is heading to WWE Backlash in Tampa, and he is bringing something with him that goes well beyond a ceremonial appearance.
Benchmark International Arena, which is hosting the May 9 event, is advertising Cena’s appearance on its website under the declaration “John Cena Returns to Tampa at Backlash.” Cena then confirmed his attendance on X and made clear that showing up is only part of what he has planned.
“It’s official. I’m headed to WWE Backlash. After months of planning and effort, I am so excited to break some history-making news. I can’t promise it’ll be perfect but I can promise it will change the WWE experience for superstars and fans. C U Live Saturday in Tampa or at home on the ESPN app.”
Dave Meltzer previously reported that Cena is under contract with WWE for a number of appearances following his hosting duties at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, with Backlash included among those confirmed dates. Whatever he is planning to reveal will land in front of what is shaping up to be one of the stronger premium live event cards of the year.
Backlash 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida and streams live on the ESPN app in the United States. The confirmed card features Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu, Trick Williams challenging Sami Zayn for the United States Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker, IYO SKY vs. Asuka, and Danhausen teaming with a mystery partner against The Miz and Kit Wilson.
It’s official! I’m headed to #WWEBacklash! After months of planning and effort, I am SO excited to break some history-making news! I can’t promise it’ll be perfect but I can promise it will change the WWE experience for Superstars and fans!
John Cena is now being advertised for WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa. The official event listing on the Benchmark International Arena page confirms Cena’s appearance.
The arena website’s WWE Backlash event page reads, “WWE RETURNS TAMPA WITH THE FIRST PREMIUM LIVE EVENT AFTER WRESTLEMANIA 42! JOHN CENA RETURNS TO TAMPA AT BACKLASH!” alongside the rest of the advertised card.
WWE Backlash 2026 will stream live in the U.S. on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Confirmed Match Card
World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Singles Match: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman)
Singles Match: Asuka vs. IYO SKY
Tag Team Match: Danhausen & A Mystery Partner vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson
The “Never Seen 17” hosted WrestleMania 42 last month.
Danhausen is on the hunt for a tag team partner, and he’s aiming for the biggest names in WWE history. During this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fan-favorite superstar earned himself a match at Backlash 2026 against The Miz and Kit Wilson.
However, there’s one condition: SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Danhausen that the match will only become official if he can get a tag team partner for the match. That’s where things get interesting.
In classic Danhausen fashion, the superstar took to social media to recruit help from a list of WWE legends, many of whom have long since retired. That list includes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, AJ Styles, John Cena, Stardust, Kurgan, Mideon, and Papa Shango. He wrote:
“Hello Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker, AJ Styles, John Cena, Steve Austin, Stardust, Kurgan, Mideon Papa Shango,” Danhausen wrote on X, tagging each of their accounts. “How does 400 human dollars sound to come out of retirements and team with Danhausen?!”
John Cena has revealed that the WrestleMania 34 storyline with The Undertaker originated with him, explaining why what appeared on screen was a spontaneous last resort.
Speaking during the Six Feet Under live podcast at WWE World, Cena laid out the logic behind his pitch after failing to win both the 2018 Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches.
“It’s a creative narrative that allows the winner of the Rumble to go forward as planned, I don’t have to steal anybody’s shot. The winner of the Chamber to go forward as planned, I don’t have to steal anybody’s shot. Then I can say, the only way I can do this, is by doing something really stupid and kicking a big hornet’s nest, should I do it? That’s when you are sitting at home, the crowd is like ‘Yeah, you should!’ and you’re like ‘Ah s**t, now I’ve got to go to work.’”
Cena was direct about claiming credit for the idea while making equally clear he did not act unilaterally to make it happen.
“So, yes, I want to take credit for that, but I also want to say that, in not going into business for myself, I asked if it was an option, and I was told that it was an option.”
The Undertaker, who was present for the conversation, noted the pitch came during a period when he was recovering from his second hip surgery and said he was largely oblivious to the planning that had taken place around the angle.
The match at WrestleMania 34 on April 8, 2018, marked Undertaker’s return following what had been widely assumed to be his retirement at WrestleMania 33, where he left his gloves, coat, and hat in the ring after losing to Roman Reigns. Cena was dispatched quickly in New Orleans, with the brief squash serving as the payoff to a week-long build that began with Undertaker declining to respond to Cena’s public callouts.
Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025 and has since taken on other roles with WWE, including hosting both nights of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
John Cena is not finished with WWE after WrestleMania 42, and he is already teasing something for Backlash weekend.
The 17-time world champion took to X on Thursday to hint at a potential appearance at Backlash 2026 in Tampa, Florida on May 9, referencing a promise he made to Club WWE members.
“Man if only it were 2023 again!! I might have different business at WWE Backlash Alas, the years pass. I am still gonna try to do something epic in Tampa for 5/9. I promised Club WWE something special… stay tuned,” Cena wrote.
Whatever he has planned appears to be tied to Club WWE, the company’s fan membership program, rather than anything on the main card. The specifics remain unknown.
Cena retired from in-ring competition on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, losing his final match to GUNTHER. He then returned to WWE television as the host of both nights of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking his first appearance back on screen since his farewell match.
Backlash 2026 takes place Sunday, May 9 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States.
John Cena announced the official trailer and release date for Coyote vs. ACME on Tuesday. The film, which was shelved by Warner Bros. in late 2023, is now slated to hit theaters on August 28.
“The biggest cartoon court case ever! Coyote vs. ACME. In theaters August 28,” Cena posted on social media alongside the trailer.
The 2D animated and live-action hybrid centers around Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation for the many traps that backfired in his relentless pursuit of the Road Runner. Will Forte portrays Coyote’s lawyer, Kevin Avery, while Cena plays Buddy Crane, a ruthless corporate attorney representing Acme Corporation.
The Looney Tunes project was primarily filmed in New Mexico in 2022. The film was allegedly shelved due to cost-cutting decisions by David Zaslav, CEO and President of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Last weekend, Cena hosted WWE WrestleMania 42, four months after his in-ring retirement.
Hosting two nights of WWE’s biggest event of the year is thirsty work, and John Cena found a way to rehydrate at WrestleMania 42 with a little help from one of the NFL’s biggest WWE diehards.
Fan-shot social media footage circulated late Sunday showing Cena chugging a beer at Allegiant Stadium at the encouragement of San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. The 48-year-old, who served as host for both nights of WrestleMania 42, obliged Kittle’s request and downed the drink to the delight of fans nearby.
The moment did not air on the PLE broadcast and was captured exclusively by fans inside the stadium.
John Cena was spotted Chugging A BEER at WrestleMania lol
Finished it in one go… then casually said thanks to the guy who handed it to him pic.twitter.com/pVedmzSegU
Cena Joins Kittle’s Running WrestleMania Weekend Beer Bit
Cena became the third high-profile name swept up in what turned into a recurring Kittle gag across the weekend.
On Night 1, the 49ers star grabbed Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton’s beer and chugged it on the spot when WWE cameras caught both stars on the big screen, sending the Allegiant Stadium crowd into hysterics. Kittle followed it up by downing another beer alongside Hollywood stuntman Chuck Zito later in the broadcast.
Kittle even squared off in an informal beer-chugging competition with fellow NFL star Rob Gronkowski at one point during the weekend.
Cena’s First WrestleMania As A Non-Wrestler
WrestleMania 42 marked Cena’s first appearance at the event since retiring from in-ring competition in December 2025, when he lost to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Beyond the beer-chugging cameo, Cena played a central role across the weekend. He opened both nights, helped Bianca Belair reveal her pregnancy on Night 1, and got involved in a comedic Night 2 segment featuring Danhausen, The Miz, and Kit Wilson.
WrestleMania 42 drew a combined 106,072 fans across both nights at Allegiant Stadium, per Cena’s own social media post recapping the weekend.
John Cena is ready for WrestleMania 42, and he made his feelings known on social media Saturday morning ahead of his return to WWE television as host of the two-night event.
Cena retired from in-ring competition on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, losing his final match to GUNTHER in what served as the capstone of his farewell tour. His hosting role at WrestleMania 42 marks his first appearance back on WWE television since that night and his first time serving as host of the Show of Shows.
Taking to X on Saturday, Cena set the tone for the weekend with a message that captured both the intensity of the build and his optimism about what fans are about to witness.
“The Road to WrestleMania has been vocal, chaotic, and unpredictable. With all the hype and trash talk it is definitely a make or break weekend for veterans and rookies alike. This time of the year brings out the best in our Superstars, and I have a feeling this will be one of the most talked about WrestleManias in history,” Cena wrote.
The descriptor fits. The road to WrestleMania 42 has featured Randy Orton’s heel turn against Cody Rhodes, Pat McAfee’s polarizing insertion into the main event storyline, CM Punk and Roman Reigns brawling through Madison Square Garden, and a wave of injury reshuffles that reshaped multiple matches in the final weeks of the build.
WrestleMania 42 takes place tonight and tomorrow, April 18-19, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
The Road to WrestleMania has been vocal, chaotic, and unpredictable. With all the hype and trash talk it is definitely a make or break weekend for veterans and rookies alike. This time of the year brings out the best in our Superstars, and I have a feeling this will be one of the…
John Cena has revealed the one exception to AJ Styles’ retirement that will be acceptable.
The Cenation Leader walked the red carpet and answered questions before the 2026 Hall of Fame. In the spree, he talked to TMZ about things such as his hair transplant, upcoming films and more.
During the talk, the 17-time world champion was also asked if he thinks AJ Styles has truly retired from pro wrestling. John Cena explained his philosophy on the matter, saying that you should not disrespect fans who paid money to see your last match:
“So, I’m one of those folks who will be the first wrestler to actually retire. And I hope I set a trend and he’s the second. I think it’s very important that we respect our audience. When they invest in us to see us for the last time, I think that that has weight and importance.”
The Phenomenal One has said that the one exception to his retirement would be the chance to get in the ring with his son. John Cena admitted that it would be the one acceptable scenario for AJ Styles to return to action:
“AJ’s path was a little different than mine. I know his son is also in the business. So, as much as selfishly I want to say like, ‘Oh, you retired, why don’t you stay retired?’ If he has a chance to wrestle with his son, he should take it. I think the audience would want to see that. But hopefully…he wouldn’t say that if he didn’t feel it was time to stop.”
Apart from this, John Cena also revealed his prediction for the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton match for Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. You can check out who he picked here.
For better or for worse, the involvement of Pat McAfee has made the upcoming WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton the most talked-about bout on the WrestleMania card this year.
The impact of the Viper’s heel turn and the fact that he’s back in the world title picture after a long time has made him the favorite in this bout. Though there have also been questions about his health heading into the show tonight.
The Cenation Leader, who has a long history with both these veterans, was asked for his prediction on this match by Sports Illustrated on the red carpet for the 2026 Hall of Fame. John Cena mentioned that he was in a very similar position to Randy Orton heading into WrestleMania last year, and so he can’t bet against the Legend Killer:
“I gotta think about that. I can’t bet against Randy Orton, just cause I’ve known him for so long, I’ve known both of them for so long. And I’ve been in a similar position as a mentor for Cody, a teacher for Cody, somebody Cody wanted approval from. It didn’t really matter; the kid’s a success anyway.
I just think Randy’s got something to prove. I know what it feels like to say like ‘Oh yo, I want 17. I’ll do anything to get it.’ Cody was the guy I took it from. Randy’s got that vibe about him, that’s pretty special.”
Wrestling fans are one year out from John Cena’s final WrestleMania match in which a heel version of the legend bested Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. We’re twenty years, out, though, from what may well have been the most important night in Cena’s career.
Cena’s list of accomplishments is among the most impressive in pro wrestling history. He’s the only recognized seventeen-time world champion, a Grand Slam Champion, a six-time WrestleMania main eventer, and one of the longest standing faces of WWE ever.
By WrestleMania 22, Cena was a main eventer and that show marked what was, in fact, his first ‘Mania main event. Had things turned out differently that evening, though, his legacy might look quite different.
WrestleMania 22 Marked John Cena’s First WrestleMania Main Event Victory
Credit: WWE
At WrestleMania 20, John Cena pinned The Big Show to win the United States Championship, a young Doctor of Thuganomics’ first gold on the WWE main roster. At WrestleMania 21, he won his first world title, besting JBL for the WWE Championship.
In hindsight, the writing was on the wall in 2004 that Cena was going to be one of the top guys in WWE for years to come. In 2005, he made good on that potential, but it’s also telling that WWE ran with Batista’s World Heavyweight Championship coronation over Cena’s moment in the main event spot. While a variety factors may have been in play, including concerns about match quality and the story the company was paying off, one take away is that WWE saw at least as much and maybe more potential in Batista as the new face of the company.
Fast forward a year, and Batista was injured. Rey Mysterio had a huge feel-good story going as he won the Royal RUmble en route to his first world title win over Kurt Angle and Randy Orton. It was Cena, however, who closed out the show with Triple H. He also won—a main event triumph at the biggest show of the year, but also joining the ranks of Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H as the only performers up to that point to walk out of consecutive WrestleManias as world champion.
As a side note, the next year he’d join Hogan as the only two men to do it three straight years (Roman Reigns would eventually join them), and the year after that Cena would become the first person to walk out of the biggest show of the year a world champ four years in a row; that rarely acknowledged, still unmatched streak ultimately ran to six years when he beat Batista at WrestleMania 26. Cena never would have unlocked any of these milestones were it not for an unlikely victory over The Game.
Though The Fans Turned On John Cena, WWE Stayed The Course
Chris Masters and John Cena. Photo: WWE.com
Though John Cena was incredibly popular for the first half of 2005, by summer, the tide had started to turn. While he continued to appeal to kids, a vocal portion of the audience started booing him out of the arena with increasing intensity in the build up to WrestleMania 22.
Going into WrestleMania 22, a number of fan theories made the rounds. A lot of fans foresaw Triple H beating John Cena as WWE hit the reset button on the younger star. Just as The Game had powered down Randy Orton’s first world title reign and WWE had rebuilt a young Viper until he was legitimately over as a main eventer, it seemed likely Cena would undergo a similar process.
Other, wild theories saw the Money in the Bank winner cashing in by the end of the night, with Ric Flair a dark horse favorite to claim one last world title reign of his own.
In perhaps the least likely scenario of all, though, Cena won. And he won cleanly. And he won by submission over arguably the most credible character WWE had shy of The Undertaker. Though Mr. Money in the Bank Rob Van Dam would successfully cash in on him in the months to follow, Cena emerged from ‘Mania unscathed.
While Cena going over was polarizing in the moment, it was a watershed moment in WWE history. Keeping the belt on Cena cemented him as the face of WWE, setting him up for the better part of a decade on top. While he’d face losses to come, staying so well protected at this stage of his career went a long way toward making him bullet proof as the company’s franchise player.
Edge Shored Up His Spot As John Cena’s Arch-Rival
One of the biggest challenges John Cena was up against in his prime as a full-fledged main eventer was the large segment of the crowd that rejected him, favoring more technically skilled performers who’d come up through the indies and veteran talents. Opposite heels like Kurt Angle, Triple H, and even Randy Orton, Cena got booed. The reactions were even stronger when babyfaces like Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and, of course, The Rock, went up against him.
One of the few performers who struck the right cord against Cena was Edge. While the two had good chemistry in the ring and on the mic, the real magic to their rivalry was The Rated R Superstar’s ability to play such a through-and-through heel and opposite to Cena that really allowed Cena the stretches he needed to get over as a white meat babyface world champion.
Yes, Edge had already cashed in on Money in the Bank on Cena prior to WrestleMania 22, then dropped the title back to him. It’s in The Rated R Superstar feuding with Mick Foley, though, and getting the best of a simply wild Hardcore Match against The Hardcore Legend that Edge underwent a more or less literal baptism by fire, cementing his place as a credible main eventer in his own right and positioning himself to become quite arguably Cena’s best and most important rival.
WrestleMania 41 saw John Cena win his seventeenth world title and WrestleMania 42 will see him play host. It was the ‘Mania two decades earlier that saw all the pieces fall into place, though, for him to become the defining star of a generation.
