WWE Reportedly Planning John Cena Classic For December 12

WWE are planning on holding the John Cena Classic in December.

At WWE Backlash on May 9, John Cena announced the John Cena Classic tournament, revealing that it would feature NXT and WWE talent, with fans having a major say in determining the winner. WWE has provided no further details since, leaving the tournament’s status and potential start date unclear.

According to False Finish, WWE is currently considering holding the John Cena Classic on December 12, with the location yet to be determined.

“Sources indicate to False Finish that WWE is currently looking at holding the John Cena Classic on December 12th. Location TBD.”

-False Finish

Holding the tournament in December would mark one full calendar year since John Cena’s in-ring retirement match against Gunther. The match took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

December is also typically a quieter period for WWE due to the holiday season and the build toward the Royal Rumble. During Season 3 of WWE Unreal, Cena explained that he did not want to retire at WrestleMania, instead hoping to help boost ticket sales and interest during what is traditionally a quieter period in December.

WWE could continue that approach by holding the John Cena Classic in December, giving fans another major attraction during the traditionally quieter period and potentially helping boost ticket sales.

Which WWE and NXT stars will be involved in the tournament remains to be seen, though the stated focus is on creating a future star. This would follow the emphasis placed on NXT talent one year ago, with the likes of Oba Femi and Sol Ruca featuring in Washington ahead of Cena’s swansong.

If the inaugural tournament proves successful, it could become a new annual tradition for WWE, providing a year-end showcase with a focus on developing the next generation of talent.

You can find more on the latest WWE news here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the John Cena Classic as soon as we hear more.