The John Cena Classic, announced by WWE three months ago, finally appears to have a more concrete window on the 2026 calendar.
According to Fightful Select, the company is currently targeting December for the event. The timeframe isn’t locked in yet, however, and could shift depending on the company’s upcoming plans.
The report lines up with what John Cena himself said at the end of July. The now-retired wrestler revealed that WWE was still working on the project and that he wanted to deliver something to the fans before the end of this year.
The John Cena Classic was announced at Backlash on May 9. The concept is a one-night event pitting main roster stars against NXT talent, creating what amounts to a WWE All-Star Game while giving next-generation names greater exposure.
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2:36 AM · Aug 10, 2026The most distinctive element of the format is how the winner is determined. Regardless of match results, all participants will be eligible for a fan vote that ultimately decides who wins the John Cena Classic. Cena has acknowledged that WWE still needs to develop a secure way to conduct that vote.
Broadcasting remains another unresolved detail. In May, WrestleVotes Radio reported that Netflix expressed immediate interest in carrying the special, but no deal has been confirmed to date.
Cena remains tied to WWE following his in-ring retirement, serving as a company ambassador under a multi-year deal.