WWE Stirs Buzz With Chris Jericho Throwback Ahead of John Cena’s Final Match
The road to John Cena’s final match on Saturday Night’s Main Event has turned into one of the most intriguing stories in wrestling — and WWE seems to be stoking the fire intentionally.
With Cena’s “The Last Time Is Now” tournament kicking off November 10 on Raw, fans are buzzing about who will earn the right to face the 17-time world champion in his farewell match on December 13 in Washington, D.C.
But a recent move by WWE has reignited speculation that the Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla himself — Chris Jericho — could somehow be in the mix.
WWE Drops Another Jericho Tease
WWE’s YouTube channel today, uploaded a full-length replay of John Cena vs. Chris Jericho from Survivor Series 2008 — a match that defined one of Cena’s most heated rivalries of that era.
While this could simply be another nostalgic upload, the timing raised eyebrows across the wrestling world. Jericho’s AEW contract reportedly expires near the end of 2025, and fans quickly began connecting dots.
The tease comes just days after WWE uploaded another historical rivalry video — this one focusing on John Cena vs. Edge (Adam Copeland), another current AEW star and name heavily speculated to be part of Cena’s farewell storyline.
In typical WWE fashion, the company has said nothing outright — but their digital team knows exactly what kind of storm these uploads create.
Could Jericho Actually Be Cena’s Final Opponent?
Realistically, the odds are slim — at least for now.
Jericho has been with All Elite Wrestling since 2019 and remains one of its biggest names. However, he’s been absent from AEW programming recently while focusing on outside projects, adding a layer of uncertainty about his short-term plans.
Still, WWE’s decision to highlight two of Cena’s greatest AEW-associated rivals within the same week feels deliberate.
Even Cena’s last match — at Crown Jewel 2025 in Perth, Australia — fed the speculation. During his emotional victory over AJ Styles, Cena paid tribute to several of his past opponents, including Jericho, using the Walls of Jericho mid-match.
If that was his way of foreshadowing something bigger, WWE fans may be in for one of the most shocking twists of Cena’s farewell run.
What We Know About The Tournament
The 16-man Last Time Is Now tournament will officially begin on November 10 in Boston — Cena’s home turf — featuring first-round matches between:
- Sheamus vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
- Damian Priest vs. Rusev
The bracket will include talent from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT — and possibly one surprise entrant from outside WWE.
However, multiple reports from Fightful and Wrestling Observer Radio have downplayed the chances of either Jericho or Adam Copeland appearing, noting that both are under AEW contract and unavailable for cross-promotional work.
Insiders instead suggest the “outsider” slot could go to Matt Cardona (f.k.a. Zack Ryder), who’s currently working with TNA and has already reappeared on WWE television once this year.
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
WWE knows exactly what it’s doing here.
Even if Jericho isn’t coming back anytime soon, the company’s subtle nods to AEW talent — through nostalgia, not confrontation — are a masterclass in strategic fan engagement.
By leaning into speculation rather than denying it, WWE is fueling online buzz ahead of Cena’s farewell match without committing to anything concrete.
Behind the scenes, sources indicate that while a Jericho or Edge appearance remains unlikely, WWE has “left the door open” for surprise cameos from former stars with flexible contracts or free-agent status.
Either way, The Last Time Is Now tournament is already shaping up to be more than just a bracket — it’s turning into a celebration of Cena’s legacy and one last chance to connect eras of wrestling history.
