On WWE SummerSlam’s go-home episode of SmackDown, John Cena turned back babyface in his promo segment with Cody Rhodes.
His six month heel run has been divisive, but with the end of his career fast approaching in December, one thing is clear: he had to close it out as a babyface.
With the 17-time champion likely to lose the Undisputed Title to Rhodes in the main event of Night Two of SummerSlam, he will need new opponents to face as his retirement road starts to wind down.
Here are five potential opponents John Cena could face in the final months of his career.
5. Seth Rollins
With Seth Rollins now WWE’s top heel and John Cena heading into retirement as a babyface, a clash between the two feels inevitable.
Rollins is also one of Cena’s greatest in-ring opponents — the pair share significant history from the mid-2010s, including an outstanding match at SummerSlam 2015.
Many of Cena’s best late-career performances came opposite Rollins, who consistently brought out his best.
With Rollins likely to become WWE Champion at SummerSlam and Cena likely to lose the Undisputed Title, a final showdown between the two could be fought over Rollins’ gold.
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4. Solo Sikoa
John Cena’s final months could see him avenging recent storyline losses.
At Crown Jewel 2023, Solo Sikoa dominated Cena in Saudi Arabia.
Post-SummerSlam, Cena could feud with Sikoa’s MFT faction, battling with JC Mateo and Talla Tonga along the way.
Unlike in their initial feud, Sikoa is no longer being positioned as a future main event star — Cena getting his revenge now seems likely.
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3. AJ Styles
There’s a strong case to be made that AJ Styles is John Cena’s greatest ever opponent.
For years, Cena’s matches were plagued by chants of “you can’t wrestle” from fans — his series with Styles ended that narrative.
Their Royal Rumble 2017 bout stands as one the most celebrated matches of WWE’s modern era.
With Styles having expressed interest in one more match before Cena retires, there is clearly some potential of it happening.
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2. Joe Hendry
TNA star Joe Hendry has repeatedly voiced his dream of facing John Cena before the legend retires.
A year ago, it would’ve sounded like the most outlandish of pipe dreams.
But after appearances at both the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, Hendry is clearly over with WWE’s fanbase — and a full-time to the company move looks imminent.
Hendry notes he’s had conversations with Cena — who has reportedly offered him guidance – but can he somehow turn his dream into reality in the next four months?
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1. Bron Breakker
Cena’s final match, set to take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, should be a true passing of the torch — a chance to elevate someone on his way out.
The prime candidate is likely none other than Bron Breakker — the future main event star that Paul Heyman himself predicted would headline WrestleManias for years to come.
A win over Cena in his retirement match could be the perfect launchpad for Breakker’s babyface run, breaking away from Heyman’s group in the process.
Not only could Breakker face Cena in the next few months, he could also be Cena’s final-ever WWE opponent.
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