WWE is reportedly considering moving John Cena’s final wrestling match to December 27, 2025, directly competing with rival promotion All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) major year-end pay-per-view, Worlds End.
Originally, WWE planned to feature Cena’s farewell match during a Saturday Night’s Main Event in early December. However, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, discussions are underway to reschedule this bout to coincide with AEW’s Worlds End event, creating a head-to-head clash on the same date.
“Originally, the final John Cena match was going to be in early December at Saturday Night’s Main Event,” Alvarez said. “This is not confirmed, but it looks like there is now a discussion that the date will be moved to go head-to-head with AEW Worlds End.”
WWE is reportedly planning for John Cena's retirement match to go head-to-head with AEW Worlds End.
"Originally, the final John Cena match was gonna be in early December at Saturday Night's Main Event. This is not confirmed, but it does look like there is now a discussion that… pic.twitter.com/Erp9JhqpJj
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) August 14, 2025While Worlds End is not AEW’s flagship event like All In, it remains one of the company’s biggest annual shows, making this proposed scheduling move a significant statement in the ongoing WWE vs. AEW rivalry.
Read: John Cena Confirms Retirement Timeline and Next Opponent on WWE SmackDown
Currently, WWE has no other premium live event scheduled in December, leaving uncertainty whether Cena’s match will headline a special premium live event or air as part of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
John Cena has just 12 appearances remaining on his retirement tour. While the identity of his final opponent remains undisclosed, early fan favourites included CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Brock Lesnar’s surprise return has added another exciting dimension to the speculation.
This potential clash marks a bold strategic move by WWE to compete directly with AEW during a high-profile wrestling weekend, intensifying competition between the two leading wrestling promotions.
