WWE legend John Cena is preparing for what could be his final in-ring appearance at one of wrestling's most historic events. The 16-time world champion will defend his newly won WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio at Survivor Series: WarGames 2025.
The Final Showdown in Boston
The stage was set during Cena's emotional hometown appearance in Boston, Massachusetts on the November 10 edition of RAW. In what marked his final appearance in the city where his wrestling journey began, Cena secured his championship opportunity against Dominik Mysterio, the same superstar he defeated to claim the prestigious title.
Survivor Series: WarGames holds the distinction of being the second-longest-running WWE Premium Live Event in history, making it the perfect backdrop for what could be Cena's wrestling farewell. However, many wrestling experts believe that several other WWE superstars would have provided more compelling opposition for the Greatest of All Time.
Top 5 Missed Opportunities for Cena's Farewell
5. The Miz - The Unfinished Rivalry
The Miz had been actively campaigning for one final match against John Cena throughout the farewell tour. Despite his persistent efforts, The Awesome One missed his chance, even failing to secure a spot in 'The Last Time is Now' tournament. A Survivor Series showdown could have allowed Miz to challenge for what would have been his record-tying ninth Intercontinental Championship.
4. Jey Uso - The YEET Connection
Jey Uso shared a memorable moment with Cena as the final two participants in the 2025 Royal Rumble match. While they've faced each other in tag team competitions, they've never competed in a singles match during Uso's peak popularity period. This missed opportunity denied fans what could have been an electrifying main event.
3. Penta - The Masked Phenomenon
Penta has emerged as one of 2025's most captivating and dynamic masked superstars, coinciding with Cena's farewell year. The luchador's immense potential could have received a career-defining push through a championship match against Cena, while simultaneously presenting a unique challenge to the veteran superstar.
2. Bron Breakker - The Future Star
Many wrestling analysts consider Bron Breakker a future WrestleMania main eventer, making him an ideal candidate to face a megastar like Cena. The Wolf Dog would have benefited tremendously from sharing the ring with The Champ, potentially using the match as a stepping stone to WWE superstardom.
1. Roman Reigns - The Dream Rematch
Roman Reigns and John Cena last battled in a blockbuster main event at the 2021 WWE SummerSlam. A final confrontation between WWE's two golden boys would have created massive buzz, especially since The Tribal Chief is already scheduled to participate in the WarGames match instead.
The Legacy Continues
While Dominik Mysterio certainly represents the new generation of WWE talent, many believe that Cena's final match deserved a more established opponent or someone with greater storyline potential. The choices highlighted above represent what could have been legendary moments in WWE history, creating memorable passing-of-the-torch scenarios.
As the wrestling world prepares to bid farewell to one of its most iconic figures, the Survivor Series: WarGames event promises to be emotional regardless of the opponent. Cena's final match will undoubtedly be a landmark moment in sports entertainment history, closing one chapter while potentially opening new opportunities for WWE's rising stars.
