Browsing: John

The WWE Performance Center got a visit today from one of the most popular stars in company history.

John Cena was at the Performance Center on Monday, as seen in pictures posted by Blake Monroe and Izzi Dame on social media. An account for The CW Network shared Monroe’s post and called it “very interesting” that Cena was at the PC — though there is no confirmation if that’s teasing an NXT TV appearance for Cena.

.@JohnCena at the PC … very interesting 🤔 https://t.co/nAmqQpDrKm

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 20, 2025

“Always a blessing and such an inspiration getting to sit with John and pick his brain about our business,” Dame wrote in her post. “Grateful for the wisdom and perspective every time!”

Always a blessing and such an inspiration getting to sit with John and pick his brain about our business. Grateful for the wisdom and perspective every time!🖤 pic.twitter.com/aFeQSaXe81

— IZZI DAME (@izzi_wwe) October 20, 2025

Cena — who recently defeated AJ Styles at Crown Jewel: Perth — does not have a WWE appearance announced until the November 10 episode of Raw in Boston. After that, his retirement tour only has three more stops: Raw in New York City (November 17), Survivor Series in San Diego (November 29), and Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. (December 13).

Tuesday’s NXT episode is taking place at the Performance Center and is the go-home show for Halloween Havoc.

Exclusive access to podcasts and newsletters

previous story

Source link

A top AEW heel subtly paid tribute to WWE legend John Cena at WrestleDream.

WWE legend John Cena is retiring at the end of the year and has been going around paying tribute to a lot of his past rivals and current peers. The star has previously paid tribute to AEW’s Adam Copeland (Edge) and a few other stars. The Cena vs AJ Styles match was filled with such tributes, with The GOAT even doing the Tombstone to honor The Undertaker. Now, AEW heel Samoa Joe paid tribute to Cena at WrestleDream.

During his match against Hangman Page, the former WWE star locked in an STF on the world champion. While the STF, Cena’s submission move, is a part of Joe’s arsenal as well, the star rarely uses it. Now, however, he decided to bring it out.

SAMOA JOE WITH AN STF #AEWWrestleDreampic.twitter.com/kCAiQjtW6n

— Joey ðŸâœ¨ (@wrestlin_wasabi) October 19, 2025

AEW Star Samoa Joe Turned Heel Right After The WrestleDream Match, Where He Paid Tribute To John Cena

Immediately after losing to Hangman Page, Samoa Joe turned heel and attacked the world champion. Joe, a former champion in WWE, was accompanied by his Opps teammates, who also turned heel in the process.

It was a surreal moment to see the star go to the dark side, while also paying tribute to a babyface legend like Cena.

Source link

The Miami Dolphins are taking an interest in an SEC matchup on Saturday featuring two talented quarterback prospects.

Per ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and other representatives from Miami are in attendance for the Oklahoma vs. South Carolina game, where Sooners quarterback John Mateer will battle Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Mateer and Sellers have had mixed results through the first half of the season, though injuries have been a factor for both.

Mateer, who spent three years at Washington State before joining the Sooners this offseason, has thrown for 1,417 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 195 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

He suffered a hand injury that required surgery in a win over Auburn in September, though that injury sidelined him for just one game.

Sellers, who was widely projected to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft coming into the year, hasn’t performed the way some scouts perhaps thought he would.

The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 1,010 yards, four touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, collecting 117 yards and a score on the ground. He has played all six of the Gamecocks’ contests, though he missed most of their loss to Vanderbilt after a first-half injury.

While neither Mateer nor Sellers has been among the top quarterbacks in their conference this season, the Dolphins, and likely other teams, seem to have interest, perhaps due to their potential.

Miami’s potential interest in the two quarterbacks comes amid individual struggles from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and struggles as a whole. Tagovailoa, who still has three years left on his four-year, $212.4 million contract, has thrown for 1,213 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions through six games as the Dolphins have gone 1-5.

He also called out his teammates and the team’s leadership following last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Whether the Dolphins are on the lookout for Tagovailoa’s possible replacement or just a backup is unclear, but their presence at Saturday’s game is notable.

Source link

It probably wouldnâ€t happen, but speaking as a fan, Peter Rosenberg wants to see one of the Ruthless Aggression Eraâ€s biggest icons as John Cenaâ€s final opponent in WWE.

Cenaâ€s ultimate sendoff is set for WWE Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event on December 13. The GOAT reiterated that he wonâ€t be wrestling past his retirement date and encouraged fans to see him in action one final time in Washington, D.C.

WWE has yet to announce John Cenaâ€s final opponent. Gunther has reportedly been tipped to deliver the final chop to the Cenation Leader, while Dominik Mysterio has also expressed his willingness to “put the final nail†in Cenaâ€s coffin.

That said, WWE personality Peter Rosenberg believes a former superstar should face Cena at WWE SNME in December. During a recent appearance on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Rosenberg named Dave Bautista as the person heâ€d like to see end Cenaâ€s career for good.

“Because weâ€ve talked about all the people who make sense, and a name that just hasnâ€t gotten mentioned very much, itâ€s super unlikely, and Iâ€m probably reaching here, but when you think about what they represented a certain time, the last Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event happens to be in DC, if you hear this [plays Batistaâ€s theme].â€

When CVV said Dave gave his word he wonâ€t wrestle again, Rosenberg said he believes Bautista meant it, but he still selfishly would love to see it happen.

“So I think youâ€re right, and I think he meant that, and I respect that. I personally as a fan, and who cares what we think, itâ€s about what he wants in his life. But Iâ€m selfish, and Iâ€m a fan. Iâ€m not satisfied with the editing. I would love to see Batista one more time. I think thereâ€s more. I just think thereâ€s one more story to be told.â€

Rosenberg went on to note that Batista and Cena were always positioned as the two representatives of the Ruthless Aggression era. This includes on the SmackDown vs. RAW 2005 video game cover, so it would be fitting to see them finish up together.

John Cenaâ€s Peacemaker role was originally meant for Batista

John Cena has received massive praise for his performance in HBO Maxâ€s Peacemaker series. Cena played the titular character across two seasons. Although fans are eager for a third installment, showrunner James Gunn has confirmed that Peacemakerâ€s story will continue in the upcoming Man of Tomorrow movie.

Gunn previously revealed that he originally wrote the Peacemaker character with Dave Bautista in mind. The Animal had worked with Gunn on Marvelâ€s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, where he portrayed Drax. Warner Bros. even offered the role of Peacemaker to Bautista, but the former WWE superstar turned it down due to other commitments.

“I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him, and we offered him the role, but [he] was offered two movies, and we werenâ€t paying him a lot, so he had to go where the money was,†James Gunn revealed on The Howard Stern Show.

During a recent episode of the official Peacemaker podcast, Gunn revealed John Cena learned to get tased for the show. Fans can read his full comments here.

Also read: Top WWE Star Makes Bold Claim About John Cenaâ€s Final Match

Source link

The final match of John Cena’s career could potentially have a championship on the line.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that there have been discussions about Cena possibly winning the Intercontinental Championship next month and then defending it in his final match. As of now, WWE’s plans are for Cena to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the IC title at Survivor Series on November 29. Gunther is then planned to be Cena’s last opponent on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Meltzer wrote:

The idea of Cena winning the IC title from Dominik (the match right now is at Survivor Series) and it being in play for the final match with Gunther has been discussed.

Becoming Intercontinental Champion is one of the only WWE accolades that Cena has never achieved. He’s a 17-time World Champion and did hold the WWE Championship one last time earlier in his retirement tour.

Dominik has been IC Champion since April, while Gunther had the longest reign in the title’s history for 666 days in 2022-2024.

There are only four appearances left on Cena’s retirement tour before his career concludes.:

• Monday: November 10: WWE Raw (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Monday, November 17: WWE Raw (New York City, New York)
• Saturday, November 29: WWE Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
• Saturday, December 13:  WWE Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event (Washington, D.C.)

Cena posted a tweet today reiterating that there is a zero percent chance that he will ever wrestle again after the December 13 date:

Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am… https://t.co/TnUPfuEfzx

— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 17, 2025

Exclusive access to podcasts and newsletters

previous story

Source link

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Cena Winning IC Title Reportedly Being Considered

John Cena broke the all-time record by becoming a 17-time world champion during his retirement tour, but that reportedly may not be the final title reign of his career.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestleTalk), WWE has had discussions about Cena beating Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series next month.

Survivor Series is being held in Mysterio’s hometown of San Diego, which would add to the enormity of the match. Also the Intercontinental Championship is essentially the one major title Cena has never held.

There is no heel who fans love to hate more than Dirty Dom, which would undoubtedly make for a fun atmosphere.

Also, Cena has never faced Mysterio in a televised one-on-one match, and since Dominik has the makings of a potential future world champion, he makes plenty of sense as one of Cena’s final opponents.

Cena announced last year that he would retire from in-ring competition at the end of 2025, and his last match is scheduled for the Dec. 13 Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.

Meltzer (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) recently reported that WWE is planning to hold a tournament to determine Cena’s final opponent with Gunther being the likely winner.

Gunther is arguably the greatest IC champ in WWE history, as he holds the record for the longest continuous reign.

Meltzer noted that Cena could potentially put the Intercontinental Championship on the line in a retirement match against Gunther, providing an already-huge bout with even higher stakes.

WWE Reportedly Anticipating Jericho Retirement Tour

There is reportedly a belief within WWE that Chris Jericho will eventually be back with the company.

According to Meltzer (h/t WrestlePurists), the expectation is that Jericho will return to WWE in order to have a retirement tour and get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Jericho is currently still with AEW, but he hasn’t been seen on AEW programming since April after he dropped the ROH World Championship to Bandido at Dynasty.

In 2022, Joe Otterson of Variety reported that Jericho signed a contract extension with AEW that would run through December 2025. Assuming the deal didn’t have any time added or get extended, that suggests Jericho could be in WWE as soon as January.

The Royal Rumble is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026, in Saudi Arabia, making the Rumble an obvious return target for Jericho should he sign with WWE.

Jericho, 54, originally signed with WWE in 1999 and remained with the company on and off until 2018.

He shocked the wrestling world in 2019 when he announced he had signed with AEW, and he went on to become the inaugural AEW world champion and one of the most successful stars in company history.

However, Jericho will likely always be best remembered as a WWE guy, having held six world titles, nine intercontinental titles and seven tag team titles in the company.

WWE has given Cena a memorable retirement tour this year, and something similar could be on the horizon for AJ Styles, who announced that he intends to retire next year.

Jericho is undoubtedly deserving of similar treatment, and WWE would likely be the ideal place for him to ride off into the sunset.

Reported Breakker, Reed Plans Before Rollins Injury

Before Seth Rollins reportedly got injured at Crown Jewel last weekend, WWE reportedly had plans in place for Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

According to Meltzer (h/t WrestleTalk), plans called for Breakker and Reed to win the World Tag Team Championships.

It is unclear if a run as tag champs could still be in their future, but Breakker and Reed shocked the wrestling world on this week’s episode of Raw by attacking Rollins and breaking up The Vision.

Breakker hit Rollins with a spear out of nowhere before urging Reed to make a choice. Without much hesitation, Reed hit Rollins with a Tsunami, and Paul Heyman raised the arms of Breakker and Reed, while Breakker held up Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship belt.

At Crown Jewel, Rollins faced and defeated WWE champion Cody Rhodes to win the Crown Jewel Championship, but he appeared to injure his arm on a coast-to-coast headbutt during the match.

On Tuesday, Meltzer (h/t WrestleTalk) reported that Rollins was set to undergo shoulder surgery “as soon as possible” and would be out of action for “several months.”

That seemingly pushed Breakker and Reed into even more prominent roles, and it is possible one or both of them could vie for the world title with Rollins out.

A tag team title reign for Breakker and Reed could still be meaningful and entertaining, though, as it would allow them to further assert their dominance over the Raw roster.

Source link

John Cena has squashed some exciting rumors with an emotional message.

John Cena is set to have his last WWE match on December 13, following which he will hang up his boots and call it a day on his wrestling career. The legendary 17-time world champion has been at the top of the wrestling world for 20 years now and would love to finish his career on one last high with an Intercontinental Title run. However, ahead of his impending retirement, many have speculated that the star won’t be retiring in December and may backtrack on that announcement.

Cena has now released a statement squashing those rumors and stating that he was indeed entering the ring one final time on December 13.

John Cena Released A Statement Re-Establishing His WWE Retirement

Taking to X/Twitter, Cena clarified the rumors doing the rounds and stated that December 13 would be the last time fans would get to see him.

Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time.”

Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am… https://t.co/TnUPfuEfzx

— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 17, 2025

It remains to be seen who Cena’s last opponent will be.

Source link

Over the past few months there were concerns about AJ Styles retiring soon. At the Crown Jewel pre-show, The Phenomenal One confirmed his decision while getting emotional. He cited that 2026 would be the end of his wrestling career for good.

Before making his WWE debut in 2016, AJ Styles had an exceptional career in TNA Wrestling. Recently, he faced John Cena at Crown Jewel, one last time. The two legends displayed the respect they had for one another, and Cena reflected it in a handwritten note that he made Alicia Taylor read out aloud before the match.

Styles had a WWE tryout in the early 2000s that didn’t work out. He competed on RoH and NJPW, where he joined the notorious wrestling faction, The Bullet Club – the current and former members of which are spread across promotions. In 2002, he signed with TNA Wrestling, a promotion he was associated with for nearly 12 years. In fact, at Slammiversary 2025 in July, AJ Styles returned to his former stomping grounds.

WWE Is Reportedly Planning A Big Retirement For AJ Styles

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, WWE is already rummaging up a mega plan for AJ Styles’ retirement. Sometimes, when wrestlers retire, the companies announce it publicly, or they make their exit quietly. In Styles’ situation, it seems backstage personnel have put on their thinking hats to make his retirement memorable.

“There is a plan in play for how to handle AJ Styles†retirement in 2026. Itâ€s not fully locked in or anything, but the idea is that, ‘Weâ€re (WWE) going to do something.â€â€

– Dave Meltzer
(WOR) pic.twitter.com/DM80wjjDyu

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) October 16, 2025

His Crown Jewel match with John Cena came about after the WWE Universe took to social media to want to see a battle between the legends one final time. A few weeks ago, Styles indicated that a WWE official was out to get him, but there has been no development in that story.

On the upcoming edition of RAW, AJ Styles will team up with Dragon Lee to take on Finn Balor and JD McDonagh for the WWE Tag Team Titles.

Source link

C.M. Punk (artist Grant Gould © PWTorch)

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

At WWE Crown Jewel we had what many are calling – and Iâ€m on their side – the Match of the Year, at least in WWE. It was the face of a previous version of WWE in John Cena against the same from TNA in A.J. Styles.

These were “The Guys†the company, including any storylines, merchandise, or media presence. Both have grown to become classy acts who are confident in who they are as characters and were able to deliver a crowd-pleasing match that paid tribute to both careers that are winding down.

Many other characters have left WWE to “Cross the Line†to TNA, or made the switch from the smaller company to the true big league. There were matches we saw that we never thought weâ€d get, especially after A.J.â€s debut. There were some matches that were left on the table, though, that we havenâ€t yet seen, or will not get the opportunity to, but it was fun to come up with five dream matches roughly from 2001-2014 era TNA vs WWE.

The Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Usos

The best home-grown TNA tag team vs. who I think is the greatest tag team of all time. The energy of the performers, the fans in the area, and the moves within the match alone could be off the charts in front of the right audience.

The story: Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley have been around as a tag team longer, and have succeeded in every promotion theyâ€ve been involved with, and still have the athleticism to wow an audience. As for the Usos, while Jimmy and Jey have not been a tag team as long, or had titles outside of WWE, theyâ€ve defended for years against the best of the best at a high level. Who is the better team?

Outcome: Usoâ€s in a match of the year contender

QUICK NOTE: Did you know you can read an ad-free, silky-smooth-loading version of this website with a PWTorch VIP Membership? Also, unlock 35+ years of archives including nearly 2,000 PWTorch Weekly Newsletters dating back to the late 1980s, hundreds of retro radio shows from the 1990s, and two decades of podcasts including Post-PPV Roundtable Podcasts dating back to the mid-2000s. Plus, new VIP-exclusive articles and podcasts throughout the week, fully compatible with the native Apple Podcasts app: CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON VIP MEMBERSHIP

Kurt Angle vs Dolph Ziggler / Nic Nemeth

While we technically had this match, we also had previously seen John Cena vs. A.J. Styles. Itâ€s about the build this match, as Nemeth is a world class mat wrestler with an incredible list of accolades, but in pro wrestling, heâ€s a guy who was known for selling and having tremendous matches through his amazing talents in telling a physical story.

There was a wrestling machine inside of the former Dolph Zigglar that could have come out. Kurt was able to turn that wrestling machine to a new dial when in TNA, and became an incredible well-rounded performer. I would have loved to see an entire program between these two, bringing that out of Nemeth.

Story: Kurt, returning to WWE, takes shots at Dolph about needing to tighten up and not be so involved with silly nonsense. Challenge him to a wrestling match and ask if Dolph can find the serious side of himself again.

Outcome: after losing the first two matches, the second an even more narrow loss than the first, Zigglar works himself up to one more match where he is able to get a clean win over Kurt, legitimizing Dolph for a new title run.

Samoa Joe vs. C.M. Punk

We did get this match in AEW, but it was tainted with backstage drama. These two made each other IWC famous. It was harder to learn about independent wrestling in the early 2000s. You had to know what sites and forums to go to online or you could read the newsstand wrestling magazines or an insider newsletter such as PWTorch.

Anyone who was involved in that scene knew a couple of names before ever getting a television debut, and those were Samoa Joe and C.M. Punk. The ROH trilogy between them sold a lot of DVDs for a small independent wrestling company. Wrestling fans of that generation were not used to seeing a one-hour Broadway, let alone two in a row for these performers.

They were showing they had the raw skills to hang with the established television stars, and it was going to be a matter of time before each would end up amongst them. They each chose different paths, as C.M. Punk, who had previously had a run in TNA, decided to try to make it in the larger and more “big show atmosphere†of WWE, where he was going to have to work his way up through the developmental program.

Samoa Joe, however, become a featured player on TNA television right away. While I watched Impact as often as I could in that era, I was hooked and started spending on a few PPVs at a time where that was tough to justify. Both became respective world champions, but to see them clash with the lights and storytelling ability WWE could provide or a Punk and Joe TNA reunion, much like the Hardys and Dudleys just had could blow the roof off.

Story: I kind of like the TNA return route. Joe could make an appearance about how successful his run was and list legendary opponents; Punk could come out to say that he was only as successful as he was because Punk decided to go to the big leagues and he let Joe run TNA. Major heel heat for Punk on this match.

Outcome: Joe wins clean as a babyface. Punk had the better career and can afford a loss to his friend.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “PWTorch ’90s Pastcast” with Patrick Moynahan and Alex McDonald, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “wade keller†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

Abyss vs. Cactus Jack

We got Mick Foley in TNA, but this was far from what Foley was known for. Itâ€s unfortunate that this man who gave us fans too much of himself doesnâ€t get to have the big comeback matches. He had a couple, but seeing wrestlers learn how to have good matches into their 50s and even 60s shows the difference in how Foley sacrificed himself.

Abyss was obviously influenced as a character, but also as a performer by Cactus Jackâ€s work. The master of the death match from two different eras clashing at peak was the dream I wish Foley had been healthy for and would love to have seen this match happen in a WWE ring. Not enough people got to enjoy Abyss.

Story: Mick Foley comes back for a special appearance and is attacked by a deranged Abyss (essentially what they did to get Bray Wyattâ€s Fiend character over). Triple H tries to get ahold of Foley to apologize, but hears nothing back. After a couple of weeks with no word, Triple H only hears from kids and wife that theyâ€ve never seen him like this and he wonâ€t even verbalize himself to his family. Then, when Abyss is about to win a match in an underhanded way, Cactus Jack arrives to interfere, and set up a match between the two.

Outcome: Cactus wins as a conquering hero.

Sting vs. Undertaker

Itâ€s the match we all wanted, and the biggest dream match left on the table from the hot ’90s era – unless youâ€d make the Hulk Hogan vs Steven Austin argument. For a fan who watches the product in a similar way that I read comic books, these are the obvious two. Dark and brooding, but many times the conciseness of the promotions they were in.

The WCW years created an aura, and when Sting said he would rather go to the underdog brand than WWE, it added to it. To have finally seen Sting and Undertaker at a WrestleMania is what we wanted, but instead we got heartbreak.

Story: Icon vs Icon, baby! All we need would be a face off, one to point at a sign, and the other to nod.

Outcome: Undertaker keeps the streak I wish heâ€d never lost.

Source link

Chelsea Green may not have shared the ring with John Cena, but that doesnâ€t mean the Cenation Leader canâ€t impart his wisdom to the WWE SmackDown star when it comes to building her brand outside the squared circle.

In a new interview with Deanna Barnert of Womanâ€s World, Chelsea Green revealed that sheâ€s been exploring opportunities outside WWE and shared how John Cena has been helping her carve a niche beyond the company.

“Iâ€ve been auditioning for role after role, and trying to dabble in the hosting space as well,†she said. “Iâ€m trying to start at the bottom and not cut corners. I want to do it the right way and gain respect within film and TV—not get there because I had it handed to me on a WWE silver platter.

“My husband and I go on double dates with John and Shay, every couple months, and the knowledge that comes out of him is incredible. He totally has my back and if I just continue to touch base with him, Iâ€ll continue to get those little bits of information and advice that are so crucial when youâ€re on this journey of trying to figure out what you want to do next.â€

John Cena reacts to Matt Cardonaâ€s WWE in-ring return

John Cena and Matt Cardona go way back. Cardona, then known as Zack Ryder, was part of a major storyline in the early 2010s that also involved Cena, Kane, and Eve Torres.

Cardona made his first WWE NXT appearance in over five years this past Tuesday, taking on Josh Briggs in singles action. Despite putting up a strong fight, he was unable to defeat the former NXT UK Tag Team Champion.

Cena acknowledged Cardonaâ€s NXT return by dedicating an Instagram post to him, which prompted a response from the former “Belt Collector.†Fans will have to wait and see whether Matt Cardonaâ€s WWE return was a one-off.

Also read: Killer Kross Says One Of John Cenaâ€s Final Matches Should Be Against This Former WWE Superstar

Source link