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Image of John Cena in front of the WWE fans
December 12, 2025 By  Pro Wrestling, WWE, WWE Universe

Booking (A Hypothetical) “One More Year” of John Cena in WWE

WWE revolved their whole 2025 around John Cena’s retirement tour. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, he will complete his final date when he faces Gunther. Most fans found John Cena’s farewell either underwhelming or somewhere in the middle between good and evil.

When John Cena made his heel turn earlier this year, that was where the high expectations began to appear. With his upcoming match with Gunther being his last, what if John Cena sticks around for another year? 

A Hypothetical 2026 John Cena WWE Run

John Cena has made it clear that he doesn’t control what happens during his farewell tour. He may have wishes to make, but sometimes they may not be delivered. For Cena’s last match with Gunther, what if WWE throws a massive curveball by bringing out The Rock?

When The Rock returned earlier this year, he wanted Cody Rhodes to be his champion. Not only that, but he wanted Rhodes’ soul. At Elimination Chamber, Rhodes turned down The Rock’s request, which led to The Rock’s backup plan. That plan was John Cena aligning with The Rock.

The moment those two joined forces that night, fans thought Rock would show up more often. Instead, Cena went solo on his heel run, and he randomly turned face right before losing the WWE title back to Rhodes at SummerSlam. 

The Rock can approach John Cena by bidding a farewell, only leading him to remind Cena that his soul belongs to The Rock. This story can finally resume and culminate at WrestleMania. This outcome can be a win-win situation for WWE and the fans. WWE might be happy with having The Rock and John Cena take part in WrestleMania, and the fans may be elated to see Cena go for a little longer.

For Rock and Cena’s story, those two can either wrestle each other one time to complete the trilogy or work in a match involving other stars such as CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. One of those two can turn heel by joining The Rock to face John Cena and whoever stays the babyface. 

Never Say Never

If Cena does stay until 2026, WWE should let him have control of his farewell tour. Cena should have the chance to decide who he should wrestle with and the honor of when he’ll have his last match. According to the interview held by Tom Rinaldi, Cena wanted to work 200 dates, but WWE only needed him for 36.

If Cena were to control his tour, fans would get to see more of Cena on television. Even if Cena doesn’t wrestle, it’s still a delight to witness him being around. 

A graphic of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event XLII, which will be the stage wherein WWE legend John Cena has last match.
Photo Credit: WWE

The term “Never Say Never” is enormous in the world of professional wrestling. Anything can happen at any time, which is why wrestling is so much fun for the fans to experience. With Cena being clear that he is done this month, no one knows but Cena if he’ll ever step foot in the ring again. 

Do you believe John Cena is done wrestling, or will he stick around WWE for a little bit longer? If so, how would you book him for one more year? Leave your comments below!

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About Mehdy Labriny

Mehdy Labriny is a pro wrestling writer currently writing for Last Word on Pro Wrestling. He has covered for major wrestling sites such as FanSided Sportskeeda, and Wrestling Inc.