John Cena remains under WWE contract as ambassador

John Cena remains under a multi-year contract with WWE in a non-wrestling capacity following his official retirement in December 2025. Reports indicate Cena has signed a five-year agreement to serve as a WWE ambassador.

This contract reportedly prevents Cena from competing for other wrestling promotions, such as AEW. While Cena has previously described the idea of wrestling for another promoter as “financial suicide,” the contractual terms would legally prohibit such a move regardless.

Cena is currently linked to the development of the “John Cena Classic,” a tournament announced during the WWE Backlash 2026 event. The tournament is intended to feature talent from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, allowing fans to vote for a winner. The event is tentatively scheduled for December 2026, though the date remains subject to change.