Credit: WWE.com
John Cena has confirmed that his next WWE appearance will be on the September 5th episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Chicago, Illinois, marking a highly anticipated stop on his ongoing retirement tour. This announcement came during the post-show of WWE Clash in Paris, where Cena recently secured a victory over Logan Paul.
Cena’s Retirement Tour Continues with a Chicago Stop
The Clash in Paris win was another significant milestone for John Cena as he moves closer to concluding an illustrious in-ring career. With only eight appearances left before retiring, Cena’s schedule is carefully curated for maximum impact in the final months.
Chicago fans will get a special treat as Friday Night SmackDown is set to showcase one of WWE’s all-time greats. According to sources close to WWE, Cena’s presence in Chicago is expected to be more than just a brief segment “John wants to give back to the fans in Chicago with something memorable,” said a WWE insider. This aligns with Cena’s farewell tour ethos of delivering both quality matches and heartfelt moments.
Clash in Paris: A Tribute Match and What It Means for Cena’s Farewell
During his match with Logan Paul at Clash in Paris, Cena added a meaningful layer of homage by incorporating moves from wrestling legends he respects. Notably, Cena used the Styles Clash a move famously associated with AJ Styles to pay tribute to one of his influential peers, as he acknowledged he probably won’t wrestle Styles again before retiring.
Cena stated after the match:
“With only eight wrestling dates left, I’m trying to honor some of the people who had a big impact on my career. Tonight was my way of saying thank you to AJ Styles and others by using some of their signature moves.”
In addition to the Styles Clash, Cena even utilized Baron Corbin’s End of Days, underscoring his desire to celebrate the diversity of his opponents and relationships throughout WWE. His victory over Paul was just one chapter in a 36-show farewell tour planned throughout 2025, with the final match scheduled for a Saturday Night’s Main Event special on December 13.
Upcoming Key Dates for Cena’s Final Run
Following Chicago, Cena’s farewell tour continues with several notable events lined up, ensuring the WWE Universe can witness some of his final moments in the ring:
- September 15: WWE Raw in Lowell, Massachusetts
- September 20: WWE Wrestlepalooza Pay-Per-View in Indianapolis, Indiana
- October 11: WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
- November 29: WWE Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego, California
- December 13: Final retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event
These events underscore WWE’s global approach to Cena’s farewell, allowing fans worldwide multiple chances to see “The Last Real Champion” live before his retirement.
The Brock Lesnar Factor: A Lingering Rivalry
One unresolved storyline that still hangs over Cena’s farewell is his feud with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar made a shocking return at SummerSlam, attacking Cena and setting the stage for future confrontations. On a SmackDown episode leading into Clash in Paris, WWE General Manager Nick Aldis indicated that Lesnar had sent a message meant for Cena. However, Logan Paul’s interference prevented this message from being delivered, directly leading to Cena and Paul’s clash in Paris.
Sources close to WWE revealed that there are no final plans to conclude Cena and Lesnar’s rivalry before Cena’s last match, leaving the door open for potential future developments but also emphasizing Cena’s focus on legacy and celebration over prolonged feuds in his final matches.
What Fans Can Expect from Cena’s September 5 SmackDown Appearance
The upcoming SmackDown episode in Chicago is expected to feature more than just an appearance. Industry insiders speculate Cena might engage in promo work or a short in-ring segment to further build excitement for Wrestlepalooza and other autumn events.
A WWE backstage source commented,
“Cena is all about creating moments. Given how much respect he commands, even a few words from him on SmackDown will electrify the crowd.”
This appearance is also important as Cena balances his physical limits with the demanding WWE schedule during his farewell tour, ensuring each date leaves a lasting impression without risking injury.
