Top 10 Opponents John Cena Should Have Faced During His Retirement Tour

John Cena and Rob Van Dam

10- LA Knight

LA Knight was unable to secure a singles match with Cena, despite their teaming in 2023 and the fervent support of the WWE audience behind him. Although they were allies, there was an underlying tension that suggested a compelling first-time-ever singles match. Fans were relentless in their desire to see the popular Knight gain a high-profile win over the legend. This match was a perfect passing-of-the-torch opportunity that was missed, particularly after Knight lost the chance to Gunther face Cena in the "Last Time Is Now" tournament finals, leaving a major box unchecked.

9- Joe Hendry

Joe Hendry actively campaigned for a match with John Cena, creating significant fan buzz around the unlikely pairing. Despite being signed by WWE late in 2025, after spending much of the year in TNA, the opportunity for a proper singles match slipped away. Hendry’s charisma and unique connection with the audience would have made a brief, fun cameo match—similar to his encounter with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41—a highlight of the retirement tour. This UK-based star facing the American icon on a major UK show would have been a perfect fan service moment that unfortunately never materialized.

8- Jeff Hardy

The prospect of John Cena issuing an open challenge answered by a shocking return from Jeff Hardy was a top-tier fantasy booking scenario. Although both veterans are well past their primes, they retain the ability to deliver a solid 15-minute singles bout. They only ever had one televised singles match back in 2008, making a final encounter a genuine rarity. Hardy's appearances in NXT via the TNA/NXT partnership proved his availability for a main roster cameo. Seeing these two era-defining babyfaces clash once more would have delivered a special, nostalgic moment for long-time fans.

7- Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu, a powerful and agile breakout star, was heavily touted by fans as a prime candidate to potentially defeat John Cena in his final match. The match would have offered a significant "full-circle" moment, as Cena famously battled Fatu's uncle, Umaga, in an iconic rivalry. Although Fatu was dealing with dead-end feuds and a shift away from his monstrous heel persona in 2025, his explosive style promised instant chemistry with Cena. Pitting the veteran legend against the dominant new star would have provided a huge rub for Fatu and given fans an unforgettable, physical spectacle.

6- Oba Femi

Oba Femi, the highly touted prospect from NXT, was a common choice among fans to be the one put over by John Cena in his final match. Femi possesses a remarkable combination of size, speed, and in-ring ability, making him the ideal candidate for a career-defining push. Fans imagined Femi delivering a dominant, "squash" victory over the legendary Cena to immediately establish him as a top-tier main event threat. Instead, Femi has been pitted against Cody Rhodes on the final show, missing the opportunity for the ultimate endorsement—a clean, decisive win over the 17-time World Champion.

5- Drew McIntyre

Fans widely regarded Drew McIntyre as a strong, credible opponent who could legitimately challenge and possibly defeat John Cena in his final match, benefiting greatly from the momentum. The idea of a high-profile, fresh clash was appealing, as the two never engaged in a proper singles feud throughout their careers. Despite high fan hopes, the most they wrestled together during the retirement year was a tag team match on SmackDown that ended inconclusively. A feud with McIntyre, leveraging his intense heel heat, would have offered a meaningful, significant singles clash that felt new and important.

4- Rob Van Dam

Fans desperately wished for one final confrontation between Cena and RVD, echoing their iconic 2006 clash at One Night Stand, where Van Dam defeated Cena for the WWE Title in a hostile environment. Despite his age, RVD's recent appearances have demonstrated he can still perform at a high level, not feeling like a parody. A surprise return for a fun one-off match on a major broadcast would have been a massive treat. This moment would have connected these two legendary careers for one last time and allowed fans to revisit one of the most polarizing moments in Cena's run.

3- Roman Reigns

Fans were deeply disappointed that John Cena’s retirement tour did not feature a final, definitive match or even a segment with Roman Reigns. As the "Face of the Company" torchbearer for their respective eras, a final confrontation was seen as narratively essential. Their past interactions, particularly the intensely personal 2017 verbal showdown, set the stage for a dramatic final chapter. While the tour included appearances from other great rivals, the lack of a moment where ‘The OTC’ and the ‘Franchise Player’ stood opposite one another to acknowledge or clash over their legacies left a major void.

2- The Rock

A true final chapter for John Cena's career demanded one last confrontation with his career-defining rival, The Rock. Their "Once in a Lifetime" and WrestleMania 29 matches were monumental, but a retirement tour bout would have carried a different weight, celebrating their journey from rivals to mutual legends. While both men’s schedules are incredibly demanding, fans wished for a simple, non-title, highly emotional match to definitively settle their score and end Cena's career with the highest possible spectacle. Moreover, with Dwayne Johnson playing a central role in Cena's heel turn earlier this year, fans sorely wished to have witnessed a finale between the two future Hall of Famers.

1- Edge

Edge is widely regarded as John Cena's greatest rival, creating countless classic matches and compelling storylines during the Ruthless Aggression Era. The thought of these two icons battling one last time to conclude their historic rivalry was a major dream for many fans. However, Edge's signing with AEW as Adam Copeland in 2023 created an immense obstacle. Despite frequent rumors of a possible return, the tension between the two companies made a final, one-off appearance to face Cena highly unlikely, denying audiences the definitive end to their career-defining feud.