With John Cena’s impending retirement looming in 2025, speculation about his final WrestleMania match has dominated discussions among fans and insiders alike. Cena’s farewell tour, which officially kicks off on January 6th with the WWE Raw Netflix premiere, has fueled rumors about who will share the ring with the WWE legend in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 41.
Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena: WWE’s Current Plan
According to a new report from PWInsider, the most likely scenario for Cena’s last WrestleMania involves him facing Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. This aligns with earlier speculation by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, where he noted that WWE had discussed Cena competing for a world title as part of his farewell storyline. Rhodes vs. Cena has reportedly been a hot topic backstage, with multiple sources confirming that the matchup is being heavily considered.
However, as is often the case in WWE, plans are far from finalized. One insider joked about the possibility of The Rock entering the picture, playfully referring to him “descending from Mountain Rock” to challenge either Cena or Rhodes. If The Rock were to express interest, it’s expected that creative plans would be reworked to accommodate the Hollywood megastar.
Logan Paul and Other Contenders
While Logan Paul had been rumored as a potential WrestleMania opponent for Cena, recent updates suggest that WWE officials were not fully behind the idea of Paul being Cena’s final WrestleMania rival. Instead, WWE seems intent on positioning Cena’s last Mania match as a monumental showdown, fitting for a star of his stature. Paul, along with names like Grayson Waller, Carmelo Hayes, and CM Punk, has publicly expressed interest in wrestling Cena, but the likelihood of these matchups occurring at WrestleMania 41 now appears slim.
John Cena’s Life Advice for Logan Paul Applies to All of Us
Another intriguing possibility comes from Randy Orton, who has also voiced his desire to share the ring with Cena one final time. Given their storied history as rivals and their status as two of WWE’s most iconic figures, an Orton vs. Cena match at WrestleMania would carry significant emotional weight. While Orton’s name has not been heavily linked to Cena’s farewell plans thus far, the prospect remains a compelling option if WWE decides to lean into their shared legacy.
Randy Orton Wants Final Match with John Cena “Maybe at WrestleMania”
Cena’s Record-Breaking World Title Pursuit
One intriguing aspect of Cena’s retirement tour is the potential for him to chase a 17th world title, breaking Ric Flair’s longstanding record of 16 reigns. While nothing has been confirmed, Meltzer’s report indicates that this scenario is still on the table, adding an extra layer of significance to Cena’s final months as an active competitor.
As of now, all signs point to Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena as WWE’s tentative plan for WrestleMania 41, though the landscape could shift dramatically if The Rock decides to get involved. With the Royal Rumble and Cena’s farewell tour on the horizon, the coming weeks promise to provide more clarity on WWE’s creative direction for Cena’s swan song.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on John Cena’s 2025 retirement tour, including his WWE Raw Netflix premiere on January 6, and all the breaking news on the road to WrestleMania 41.
John Cena’s Record at WrestleMania
John Cena has an impressive record at WrestleMania, with 10 wins and 6 losses across 16 appearances. Here’s a breakdown of his WrestleMania performance:
WrestleMania Record
- Total matches: 16
- Wins: 10
- Losses: 6
- Win percentage: 62.5%
Notable WrestleMania Achievements
- Championship matches: Cena has competed in 11 title matches at WrestleMania, including 3 for the US Championship, 1 for the World Heavyweight Championship, and 7 for the WWE Championship.
- Main events: He has headlined WrestleMania five times (WrestleMania 22, 23, 27, 28, and 29).
- Championship wins: Cena has won 6 titles at WrestleMania and successfully defended his title twice.
Significant WrestleMania Moments
- First WrestleMania appearance: WrestleMania XX (2004), where he defeated The Big Show for the United States Championship.
- First WWE Championship win: WrestleMania 21 (2005), defeating JBL.
- Last WrestleMania match to date: WrestleMania 39 (2023), where he lost to Austin Theory in a United States Championship match.