Add as a preferred source on Google The John Cena Classic, the new event announced by John Cena at WWE Backlash, still does not have a date or venue set by WWE.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, via Fightful Select, the company has not locked in when or where the tournament will take place. One source also said Netflix showed almost immediate interest in hosting the event on its platform.
Despite the lack of a firm decision, there is one window that would make sense for WWE. According to F4W/WON, early December is seen as a logical possibility, mainly because it would line up with the first anniversary of Cena’s final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
A date and venue has not yet been set for the John Cena Classic 🗓️
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) May 14, 2026
(via WrestleVotes Radio / Fightful Select) pic.twitter.com/Y496NuDG8j
As announced at Backlash, the John Cena Classic will feature main roster talent facing names from NXT. The big twist, however, will be that the champion is chosen through fan voting, regardless of the in-ring results.
Cena himself has admitted that the project is still being built, but said he is fully involved in the idea. The former wrestler also said the date and venue are the first step toward everything beginning to take shape.
It remains to be seen whether WWE will actually move the event forward for December or use Netflix’s interest to turn the John Cena Classic into something bigger on its annual calendar.