John Cena’s farewell tour is heading for a pivotal moment at WWE Survivor Series 2025, and fresh reports suggest significant developments for the 17-time World Champion’s role at the event. Not only is Cena rumored to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship on Raw, but he may also be part of a high-profile WarGames superteam, a first for the veteran star. Meanwhile, plans involving other top WWE names like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk have shifted over recent months, adding intrigue to what could be a historic night for Cena in his hometown of Boston.
John Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio: The Intercontinental Championship Storyline
One of the most talked-about possibilities for Cena at Survivor Series was a marquee Intercontinental Championship match against Dominik Mysterio. Wrestling observers have long anticipated Cena capturing this mid-card title to complete his WWE Grand Slam, as this belt eluded him throughout much of his career.
Recent reports confirm Cena is scheduled to challenge the younger Mysterio for this prestigious title. Furthermore, Rey Mysterio’s return to in-ring competition after a lengthy injury, and his ongoing feud with his son Dominik, could influence the outcome of this match. Sources suggest Rey’s presence may prevent Dominik from resorting to his usual underhanded tactics, possibly paving the way for Cena to walk away with one final championship before retirement.
However, some insiders indicate that Cena’s intercontinental title match is now slated for a Raw episode in Boston prior to Survivor Series rather than on the pay-per-view itself, leaving room for a different high-profile role for Cena at the big event.[2][3][4]
Debut in the WarGames Match: Cena Joining “Team CM Punk”
Perhaps the most compelling rumor surrounding Cena’s Survivor Series plans is his possible participation in the upcoming Men’s WarGames match. This brutal multi-man cage contest has never featured Cena before, making this an unprecedented challenge in his decorated career.
According to WWE insider Ibou from the “Self Made” network, Cena is slated to be a member of “Team CM Punk” in WarGames. Although the exact lineup is reportedly still in flux, major WWE stars such as Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu were initially considered to fill out the babyface team alongside Punk and potentially Cena.
An insider explained, “Around SummerSlam, WWE floated the idea of selling Survivor Series tickets by teaming up top stars like Cody, Roman, Punk, and Cena in one WarGames team, but there have been hurdles along the way.”[2]
Further updates revealed that the Undisputed WWE Champion may no longer participate in the match, and Cody Rhodes was originally scheduled to defend his title at Survivor Series but may have to withdraw due to storyline developments and real-life circumstances, such as Jacob Fatu’s recent dental procedure sidelining him.[2][4]
WWE commentator and journalist Cory Hays also corroborated these plans, stating, “The idea of John Cena working WarGames has been discussed for several weeks internally.”[3][4] If confirmed, this would mark Cena’s first WarGames match, adding a strong narrative moment to his retirement run.
The Evolution of WarGames Team Plans and backstage Dynamics
Initially, WWE had ambitious plans to assemble a star-studded “superteam” combining Cena with fellow headliners CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns to headline the Survivor Series WarGames event. Yet, evolving creative decisions and real-life injuries have caused the lineup to be reconsidered multiple times.
An industry source familiar with the backstage atmosphere shared, “They wanted to make the WarGames team a major draw — a reunion of some of the biggest names — but coordinating schedules and storylines has been tricky. Cody’s recent feud shifts and Fatu’s injury forced WWE to explore alternatives.”
Currently, the tentative babyface faction reportedly includes CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu, Jey Uso, and possibly Cena filling one of the final slots. Their opponents could involve the reunited Bloodline faction, creating a classic good vs. evil dynamic.[4][5]
For Cena, who has only a handful of appearances left on his farewell tour, a WarGames participation would be an intense and fitting sendoff, showcasing his resilience and veteran status inside one of WWE’s most physically demanding match types.
What Might Have Been: Early Plans and Alternative Scenarios
Before settling on the WarGames match and the IC Title storyline, WWE reportedly considered several creative options for Cena’s Survivor Series involvement. One early concept involved a more traditional one-on-one final big match or even a tag team or multi-man match featuring Cena.
Backstage sources suggest that WWE also toyed with having Cena face a different opponent who could represent a new generation perspective, balancing nostalgia with a passing of the torch narrative. However, some reports indicate that Cena’s wish to have a memorable and physically challenging match factored heavily into the eventual WarGames plan.
John Cena himself has hyped a 16-man tournament unfolding during his final months as a wrestler, which will culminate in naming his last-ever opponent. This could lead to diverse match ups and storytelling layers involving Raw, SmackDown, and even NXT stars prior to Survivor Series and beyond.[6]
Cena’s Retirement Tour: Building Momentum in Boston and Beyond
Cena’s final Raw appearance in Boston—his home region close to West Newbury, Massachusetts—is a significant point on his farewell journey. The episode is designed to build heat toward both his Intercontinental Championship match against Dominik Mysterio as well as seed anticipation for his Survivor Series involvement, whether as a singles competitor, WarGames participant, or both.[6][7]
WWE creative seems keen to deliver a mix of nostalgia, meaningful storylines, and high-stakes competition to honor Cena’s career. The odds suggest that Survivor Series: WarGames could be Cena’s last major appearance at this historic event, elevating the stakes for fans and performers alike.
Final Thoughts: Cena’s Survivor Series Legacy and WarGames Debut
John Cena’s participation at Survivor Series 2025 is shaping up to be a multifaceted affair that honors his illustrious career while breaking new ground. From a potential crowning moment capturing the Intercontinental Title to making a debut in the grueling WarGames environment alongside WWE’s top stars, Cena is poised to leave a lasting impression.
As one well-connected WWE reporter put it, “Cena’s retirement run has all the signatures of something special — blending classic rivalries with new challenges to prove why he’s one of WWE’s all-time greats. WarGames was never part of his past, so putting him there now is the perfect way to add one last epic chapter.”
With Survivor Series under three weeks away and Cena’s retirement tour limited in number, fans will want to keep a close eye on Raw and SmackDown programming as plans continue to develop. Cena’s final outings promise to be a celebration of longevity, legacy, and pure wrestling drama.