WWE Announces John Cena Classic Tournament

Former WWE champion John Cena, who retired in December 2025 after losing to Gunther, said the company will launch the inaugural “John Cena Classic.” The event is planned as an exhibition tournament that pits main‑roster stars against NXT talent, with fans voting to determine the champion and a new title to be introduced. Cena described the format as WWE’s “All‑Star game,” emphasizing fan‑first participation and saying he will serve as ambassador, appearing on Raw, SmackDown and NXT but not returning to the ring unless offered a prohibitive sum.

Cena highlighted that the tournament is still being refined, noting that audience votes could overturn company‑planned outcomes and that he hopes to see the event grow with city‑specific dates and a clear bracket. He also warned against vote manipulation by bots, stressing the need for fair fan involvement.