Add as a preferred source on Google John Cena once again defended the format of the John Cena Classic, WWE’s new event that still does not have an official date or venue.
The concept was announced at Backlash in Tampa and calls for a tournament featuring main roster talent against names from NXT. The most controversial detail is that the champion will be chosen by fan vote, not necessarily by the results of the matches.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, Cena said he understands the criticism, but stressed that wins and losses will still matter within the concept.
“A lot of times, when you win a match, there’s a big reaction from the audience. So winning can increase your chances in the vote. Winning matters, because it can help.”
John Cena argues that winning still matters in his John Cena Classic event
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) May 19, 2026
“A lot of times, if you win a match, there’s a loud crowd moment, and there’s a reaction. So winning could sway your odds of winning the vote. Winning does matter because it could help”
(via The… pic.twitter.com/SUb8HdVZ3n
Cena also compared the John Cena Classic to a kind of WWE All-Star Game, explaining that the idea is to create a showcase night that does not require long-running storylines, putting the company’s present and future against each other.
The former WWE Champion also admitted that the voting system needs to be tightened up, especially to prevent any kind of manipulation or sabotage of the results.
Still, Cena made it clear that the main goal is to give NXT talent a major opportunity. According to him, even someone who does not score a pinfall could steal the show and end the night recognized by fans as the breakout star of the event.
So far, WWE has not announced when the first John Cena Classic will take place.