John Cena is retiring in 2025, and he wants to make it special.
The former 16-time World Champion will kickoff his retirement tour in January to coincide with WWE RAW’s move to Netflix. Cena expects to work 30-40 dates, including the big Royal Rumble and WrestleMania Premium Live Events, all the way to December.
Cena didn’t confirm his opponents for the tour, but a lot of Superstars have publicly expressed their intent to work with the Cena before he rides off into the sunset. Ideally, Triple H would have Cena endorse new and up-and-coming superstars while also booking some old faces.
We believe these five superstars need the ‘John Cena rub’ in 2025.
Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross has yet to get his NXT mojo back. Kross was a major Triple H project during the Black and Gold era. He made his RAW debut while being NXT Champion, but lost to Jeff Hardy in a squash match. Kross would be released during the pandemic before being brought by Levesque in August 2022.
The two-time NXT Champion has since formed a stable with Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering. The Final Testament is feuding with The New Day on RAW. Kross is someone who has struggled to get over with the WWE Universe. A potential feud, or even a one-off program, with John Cena could help elevate Kross and his stable.
Eddy Thorpe could benefit from John Cena’s endorsment
Eddy Thorpe used to work in New Japan Pro Wrestling under his real name Karl Fredericks. He won the Young Lion Cup in 2019. Thorpe proudly carries his Native American heritage to the ring, and has competed against the likes of former WWE talents Damon Kemp and Dijak.
Eddy Thorpe would be a great fit if Triple H decides to make NXT talents part of John Cena’s retirement tour. Thorpe is superb between the ropes and would undoubtedly benefit from a televised interaction with the GOAT.
Montez Ford
Montez Ford’s skills and charisma have long been overlooked despite him being with WWE since 2016. Ford was heavily praised for his performance at Elimination Chamber 2023 by Triple H himself, but it appears WWE Creative doesn’t want Ford to embark on a solo run, at least for now.
Ford has all the tools to be a major player in the TKO era. He could be a standout should WWE put him on the John Cena farewell tour. He’s already a former tag team champion on NXT, RAW and SmackDown. It’s about time Ford got his singles push.
Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov made his RAW in-ring debut in the lead-up to the 2024 WWE Draft. The Mad Dragon dropped his NXT Championship to Trick Williams at NXT Spring Breakin’ Week One. Dragunov moved to the red brand following the conclusion of his feud with Trick.
Dragunov been constantly featured in top feuds while giving fans PLE-quality matches on weekly television. Ilja’s passion for this sport has been appreciated by fans and peers alike. He could benefit from a program or an angle with John Cena when RAW comes to Netflix in 2025.
Chad Gable & John Cena needs to be a major angle in 2025
John Cena could do for Chad Gable what Kurt Angle did for Cena’s career. Angle was Cena’s first opponent on the main roster way back in 2002. The two would become great adversaries and even better friends to the point Cena inducted Angle into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
Randy Orton has already endorsed Chad Gable in a major way. Gable’s incredible in-ring acumen and character psychology could make for a a featured feud or even a tag team angle with Cena in 2025.
