John Cena Teases Big Surprises for WWE’s “Last Time Is Now Tournament” — Who Will Be His Final Opponent?

The Final Chapter Begins in Boston

The countdown to John Cena’s final WWE match officially begins this Monday night. The 16-time World Champion is set to kick off the “Last Time Is Now Tournament” on Raw at the TD Garden in Boston, marking what’s expected to be his last-ever WWE appearance in his hometown.

The high-stakes tournament will determine Cena’s final opponent at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, a symbolic end to a 20+ year career that’s defined an era of sports entertainment.

Cena Promises Surprises for the Tournament

Cena took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his excitement and tease “surprises” for the multi-week tournament.

“Seeing all the excitement around Monday Night #WWERaw in Boston,” Cena wrote. “Can’t wait to see the matchups and surprises 👀 for the Last Time is Now tournament. This is a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone involved. See you Monday LIVE @tdgarden and on @netflix!”

WWE has yet to release a full tournament bracket, but the first-round matchups announced include Damian Priest vs. Rusev and Sheamus vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.

SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is expected to announce two more matchups on Friday’s show.

Who Could Be the Surprise Entrants?

With Cena hinting at surprises, speculation is running wild about who might step into the ring for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Some fans have thrown out dream names like Chris Jericho and Adam Copeland, though both seem unlikely due to their current AEW contracts. But there’s still plenty of intrigue.

Possible crossover names from TNA include Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler) and Matt Cardona, both of whom have history with Cena and would make for a headline-grabbing return.

There’s also Jeff Hardy, another TNA talent whose surprise appearance would surely get the WWE Universe on its feet.

And don’t count out a few emerging NXT stars — names like Trick Williams, Oba Femi, or Je’Von Evans could be wild card entries that inject fresh energy into the tournament.

🩵 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

John Cena’s “Last Time Is Now Tournament” is more than just a send-off — it’s a celebration of an era. WWE’s decision to stretch out the tournament format is smart business and sentimental storytelling rolled into one.

But what makes this even more exciting is the potential for cross-promotional surprises. WWE’s renewed partnerships with TNA and other promotions have created a landscape where almost anyone could walk through the curtain — and for Cena’s farewell, they’re clearly looking to make it unforgettable.

The big question isn’t just who will face Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but how WWE will use this platform to build the next generation. Whether it’s a returning legend or a rising star, this tournament could shape the company’s future as much as it honors its past.

#WWENews