As the echoes of “Let’s Go Cena!” and “Cena Sucks!” curl through arenas from the Pacific to the Atlantic, the legendary John Cena’s farewell tour has gifted the WWE Universe a rare intersection of nostalgia, stakes, and reinvention. The Hollywood megastar is currently closing the door on the greatest professional wrestling career of the modern era, and he’s doing it with the spectacle only he can generate: a seismic heel turn at Elimination Chamber, a record-shattering 17th world title triumph at WrestleMania 41, and high-voltage reunions with storied rivals who shaped WWE’s 21st-century narrative.
With CM Punk and Randy Orton now crossed off the list—matches that quenched decade-long “what if” debates and moved merchandise at a historic clip—the field narrows to the present and future. The December retirement match looms as a moment destined to shape WWE storytelling for years. But Cena’s upcoming retirement match isn’t the sole thing that sports and entertainment fans are looking forward to at present.
Another thing that has onlookers on the edge of their seats is the impending release of the Lucky Rebel website. The new outlet is thought to be the number one spot for sports fans, wrestling included. The offering of the site is thought to be second to none, and its mid-August release is highly anticipated. But what will the site be discussing in December as John Cena calls time on his epic wrestling career? Well, here are the three most likely options for his final match.
The Rock
Put simply, John Cena vs. The Rock feels too big for anything but the brightest spotlight—and Cena’s final night is as bright as they come. Their last singles meeting—WrestleMania 29 in 2013—drew 80,676 strong to MetLife Stadium and still ranks among top-tier WWE streaming viewership. Their rivalry, etched in history as a split 1–1, delivered box-office magic and pop culture resonance rarely seen in the squared circle.
Why does this match resonate now? In February, Cena’s heel turn shocked the system—and The Rock’s involvement added depth, creating an uneasy partnership ripe for a betrayal or seismic confrontation. The two haven’t shared a ring since, and The Rock’s mysterious absence only adds drama. Any return would spark an instant ratings surge and global buzz unrivaled by any other matchup.
But history, as always, offers a sobering counterweight. The Rock’s Hollywood commitments have repeatedly thrown chaos into WWE’s long-term booking, most notoriously at WrestleMania 41, where Travis Scott was a last-minute stand-in. Staging Cena’s final match around The Rock’s unpredictable calendar is a high-wire act—with the highest possible payoff, but genuine risk.
Cody Rhodes
If this farewell tour is as much about passing the torch as punctuating a legacy, then Cody Rhodes sits center stage. Cena’s greatest moments have often come against those angling to break through to the next echelon. Rhodes is already on that path—his main event run and storytelling in 2024-25 has been bona fide, punctuated by a WrestleMania 41 main event that shattered modern attendance and merchandise records. Their chemistry, both in-ring and on the microphone, is undeniable: Cena’s record 17th title victory over Rhodes became a catalyst for a rejuvenated heel persona, while Cody’s storyline resilience has raised his status to near-universal acclaim.
The wrestling world is counting down to their SummerSlam rematch—an event labeled as perhaps the most unpredictable main event on the calendar. The numbers suggest WWE plans to keep this rivalry burning: Cody is #2 in global WWE merchandise sales, and YouTube clips from his standoffs with Cena have notched tens of millions of views.
Could their trilogy culminate at Cena’s farewell? Absolutely. It’s the purest “torch-passing” opportunity—especially if WWE leans into a CodyLander heel turn, something online chatter has speculated about for years. The only challenge? Overexposure. Three high-profile matches in less than a year risk eventual fatigue, but smart, emotionally charged storytelling could turn this rivalry into career-defining canon for both men.
Gunther
Standing atop the list is not just the most logical challenger—but the most thrilling. Gunther’s ascent has been nothing short of empirical. No active superstar brings raw numbers and narrative heat on the scale he does: a World Heavyweight Championship reign that has elevated the big gold title, victories over Goldberg and countless others, and match ratings consistently hovering near the elusive “five star” threshold.
Insiders report Gunther as the likely candidate for Cena’s last stand. The case is compelling: he’s healthy, hot, and carries none of the offscreen uncertainties dogging The Rock or even Cody. His clinical destruction of Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event – retiring the former WCW icon in the process – was more than dominance—it was a message.
But this is more than undefeated streaks and hard-hitting lariats. The emotional stakes are immense: Cena, the consummate standard-bearer, faces the imposing new monarch. The torch isn’t simply passed; it’s wrested away in a behemoth vs. legend encounter that pits grit against ruthlessness. The prospect of Cena going out either conquering the unbeatable champion—or putting over the future in the most dramatic fashion possible—creates narrative gravity no booking brainstorm can surpass.
