WWE Announces 16-Man “The Last Time Is Now” Tournament to Determine John Cena’s Final Opponent – WWE has officially announced how it will decide John Cena’s final opponent, confirming a massive 16-man tournament set to begin on next week’s episode of RAW. Appropriately titled The Last Time Is Now Tournament, the competition will crown the Superstar—or potentially outsider—who will face Cena in his final match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025.

The announcement was made during 11/1 Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City, revealing that the field will include competitors from RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and, in a surprising twist, participants from outside WWE. This unexpected element has already sparked widespread speculation about who might enter the tournament.

At this time, WWE has not officially revealed any participants. However, rumors are already swirling within the wrestling community about potential entrants. While some fans have dreamt of major crossover names like Adam Copeland making an appearance, reports suggest that the field is more likely to include popular non-WWE stars such as Joe Hendry or Matt Cardona—both of whom have existing ties to the industry and have expressed admiration for Cena’s legacy.

The inclusion of talent from outside WWE adds an unpredictable layer to the tournament, creating what could be one of the most talked-about builds to a retirement match in recent history. Given Cena’s legendary career, the chance to be his final opponent is a prestigious honor that could attract competitors from across the wrestling world.

The 16-man format promises high-stakes matches over several weeks leading into Cena’s farewell bout at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. WWE is expected to reveal the first-round matchups during Monday’s RAW, with fans eagerly awaiting to see which Superstar—or surprise name—will step up to close the book on Cena’s iconic two-decade career.

With anticipation already running high, The Last Time Is Now Tournament could become one of WWE’s most compelling storylines of the year, serving as the emotional road to John Cena’s final bow.

WWE Announces 16-Man “The Last Time Is Now” Tournament to Determine John Cena’s Final Opponent

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