# WWE talent developments and roster shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wwe-talent-developments-and-roster-shifts > Updated: 2026-10-25T18:32:29.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. Throughout late 2026, the WWE landscape has seen significant shifts in talent performance and roster positioning. Oba Femi has emerged as a central figure and a primary successor to Roman Reigns, following a rapid ascent that included winning the King of the Ring and securing major victories over established names like Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and SummerSlam. Other performers have also reached notable milestones, such as Je’Von Evans, who secured 37 wins following his main roster call-up. While stars like Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi lead in total victories, some performers have experienced inconsistent booking or diminished television presence. Additionally, speculation has arisen regarding potential brand switches, with stars such as IYO SKY, Rey Mysterio, and LA Knight potentially moving from Raw to SmackDown to revitalize their momentum. In late October, WWE confirmed that John Cena will make a special appearance on the November 2 episode of Monday Night Raw at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This marks Cena’s first appearance on the brand since his retirement from in-ring competition in December 2025. While the nature of his appearance is unannounced, speculation suggests he may provide updates on the ‘John Cena Classic’ tournament. The broadcast will also feature a singles match between Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys amid the ongoing rivalry between The Bloodline and the 946 faction. ## Claims - John Cena will appear on WWE Raw on November 2 in Brooklyn, New York. (corroborated by 3 sources) - This is Cena's first appearance on Raw since his retirement. (corroborated by 3 sources) - John Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Cena's final match was against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The John Cena Classic is a project reportedly set for December 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The ‘John Cena Classic’ is a project reportedly set for December. (corroborated by 2 sources) - John Cena has won 17 world championships. (single source) - Solo Sikoa will face Royce Keys on the November 2 Raw episode. (single source) - The November 2 episode of Raw will take place at the Barclays Center. (single source) - Solo Sikoa will face Royce Keys on the November 2 episode of Raw. (single source) - The Raw episode will be streamed live on Netflix. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: John Cena to return to WWE Raw in Brooklyn John Cena is set to return to WWE Raw on November 2 in Brooklyn, marking his first appearance on the brand since retiring from active wrestling in late 2025. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wwe-roster-shifts-and-talent-developments-in-2026 ### 2026-10-20: WWE performance and booking analysis for 2026 A review of WWE's 2026 season highlights top performers like Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi, while analyzing booking challenges for stars such as Roxanne Perez and Jordynne Grace. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wwe-performance-and-booking-analysis-for-2026 --- Cite as: WWE talent developments and roster shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wwe-talent-developments-and-roster-shifts