WWE is lining up the final Saturday Night’s Main Event of 2025, and the timing could put it directly in the path of one of AEW’s biggest shows of the year.
According to Andrew Baydala, the NBC live special is now locked for Boston, Massachusetts in December — shutting down earlier speculation that the event might happen next month at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Baydala reports that two dates are currently on the table: Saturday, December 13 or Saturday, December 27. The night before, SmackDown will also emanate from Boston, setting the stage for a high-profile weekend in “Beantown.”
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take The decision between December 13 and December 27 isn’t just about venue availability — it’s about strategic positioning. Choosing the 27th would place WWE’s network special in direct competition with AEW’s Worlds End. In an era where both companies have proven they’re willing to take swings at each other’s calendar, this would be a bold, deliberate shot across the bow.
The current expectation is that Saturday Night’s Main Event — along with the preceding SmackDown — will serve as the final two appearances of John Cena’s Hall of Fame career. His farewell match would take place on that Saturday night, giving the show massive historic weight.
For those wondering, the final Saturday Night's Main Event of 2025 (four in fiscal year) is currently scheduled for December 2025 in Boston.#WWE/NBCU has already produced three events in 2025. 1/25/25- San Antonio, TX 5/24/25- Tampa, FL 7/12/25- Atlanta, GA
AEW has already confirmed that Worlds End will take place on Saturday, December 27 from the NOW Arena in suburban Chicago. The event was announced back in July, with AEW President Tony Khan promising it would build on the city’s already rich AEW legacy.
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take If WWE opts for the 27th, Cena’s final match could run head-to-head against one of AEW’s most anticipated pay-per-views of the year. That’s not just counterprogramming — that’s turning a wrestling legend’s retirement into a competitive weapon. The optics alone would dominate headlines and social media chatter all weekend long.AEW Worlds End | Dec 27, 2025
WWE’s 2025 Counterpunch Streak
This wouldn’t be the first time WWE has gone toe-to-toe with AEW in 2025. Earlier this year, WWE ran a two-day, three-event takeover in Atlanta the same weekend AEW held All In Texas. Reports also suggest WWE will soon announce a Premium Live Event for September 20 in Indianapolis — rumored to be Bad Blood — set to clash with AEW’s All Out in Toronto.
That September PLE is expected to feature John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, a dream match stemming from Lesnar’s shocking return at SummerSlam.
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take If WWE books Cena’s final match on December 27, it would mean his last two major bouts — against Brock Lesnar in September and whoever his farewell opponent is in December — would both be scheduled as high-profile countershots to AEW events. It’s calculated, it’s aggressive, and it sends a clear message: WWE isn’t interested in avoiding AEW’s big nights — they want to own them.
🎙️ Final Take
Should WWE choose December 27 for Saturday Night’s Main Event, wrestling fans could be treated to a historic night of head-to-head competition. Cena’s farewell would be a network television spectacle, while AEW would be delivering one of its biggest pay-per-views of the year. Two massive shows, two very different presentations — and one fanbase caught in the middle trying to keep up. If WWE pulls the trigger, 2025’s final weekend could be one of the most talked-about in wrestling history.
