John Cena announced that Charlotte Flair is the latest wrestler invited to the John Cena Classic, which is set for December 14. Cena made the announcement during the opening segment of tonight’s SmackDown from the Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Flair is the first woman from the main roster to get an invite. Before Flair, the only woman confirmed for the event was NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan, who Cena invited on Tuesday’s NXT.
Flair was visibly emotional as she talked about her father, Ric Flair, at the start of her promo.
“John, I don’t know if you know this, but I am my father’s daughter so I tend to get a little emotional.”
Flair went on to say that Cena approached her backstage and asked, “What happened in Chicago?” about her controversial promo with Tiffany Stratton on the April 4, 2025, SmackDown. She added that Cena told her not to try to be perfect, but to be who she is. Flair thanked Cena for helping her regain her passion for pro wrestling, saying she’s going to win the John Cena Classic Championship.
Cena said that Flair’s career has never been easy, but she has made it all look easy, and he brought up his promise to shake hands with whoever wins an 18th world title. Flair has held 14 world titles in WWE, three fewer than Cena. She last won a world title in December 2022 by defeating Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Flair will also face Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne in a non-title match later tonight.
What a MOMENT between @MsCharlotteWWE and @JohnCena 🥹 https://t.co/iujBjrmiIN
— WWE (@WWE) November 14, 2026