With John Cena’s return to Boston for his final appearance in his hometown at WWE Raw on Netflix, the beginning of the Last Time Is Now tournament.
Set to host entrants from WWE Raw, SmackDown, NXT and even some potential surprises — there could be some interesting winners to the entire tournament.
Here are seven potential winners for the Last Time Is Now tournament to determine John Cena’s last opponent in WWE.
7. GUNTHER
GUNTHER hasn’t been seen in WWE since he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025.
While his absence from TV have been explained as due to being out of action indefinitely because of injury, it seems that he could be making his way back in the near future.
With initial reports about the creative direction for Cena’s last match remaining static for months, it could be that GUNTHER really is poised to not only make a return but also win the tournament.
Since Nick Aldis pulled a mystery name on SmackDown along with Jey Uso, LA Knight and The Miz — it could be the return of GUNTHER is very near.
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6. Oba Femi
While Oba Femi has yet to debut on the main roster, the Last Time Is Now tournament could be the perfect vehicle.
Making a surprise debut for competition on the main roster, Femi wouldn’t necessarily need to win the entire thing in order for his character to have a successful debut.
However, if Femi went the distance in the tournament and ended up becoming the last opponent for John Cena — it could be a career making moment.
Capturing the energy of Cena’s debut with a young and hungry upstart coming in and immediately standing tall against a top name could be the perfect way for John Cena to end his WWE career.
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5. Dominik Mysterio
One star that was featured in the Last Time Is Now tournament announcement video that raised fans’ eyebrows was Dominik Mysterio.
Continuing to hold the WWE Intercontinental Championship, it seems to be Mysterio that stands between Cena and the retiring star completing his WWE Grand Slam.
While some reports initially tapped Mysterio as Cena’s opponent for his upcoming final PLE appearance at Survivor Series WarGames, there have yet to be any interactions between the pair on-screen.
There was however the surprise return of Rey Mysterio who seemingly teased a showdown with Dirty Dom for the event, set for the elder Mysterio’s hometown of San Diego.
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4. Joe Hendry
One star that has been vocal for quite some time about hoping to get in the line-up to face John Cena ahead of his retirement is Joe Hendry.
While there has not been any confirmed NXT stars set to participate in the tournament, Hendry could also make an appearance under the banner of an intriguing thought added by Cena during the vignette announcing the tournament.
With Cena’s voiceover noting that the participants in the tournament would be chosen at random, he was specific to say it would include stars from WWE Raw, SmackDown, NXT and perhaps even some that “don’t even work here”.
Hendry would absolutely fit under the criteria of those who do not yet work at WWE as he remains reportedly under contract with TNA Wrestling through the end of the year.
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3. Carmelo Hayes
One current roster member that could not could take it all the way is former NXT Champion, Carmelo Hayes.
Looking for a top storyline that could propel him into the future, a loss to Cena in the farewell match could actually serve a meaningful storyline purpose for Melo in the end.
With a vehicle for Hayes to become even more disgruntled and make a solid heel turn, adding his NXT partner-in-crime Trick Williams, Hayes could go on a true tear through WWE Raw.
Looking to abandon his goofier presentation from SmackDown, Hayes could join the tournament and go all the way as a method to rejuvenate his character, making him a winner even if he’s defeated in the last bout by Cena.
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2. Matt Cardona
A hilarious but also heartwarming potential entrant to the Last Time Is Now tournament that could lose to Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event is Matt Cardona.
After being released from WWE in 2020, the former Zack Ryder went on to completely transform himself and his character in independent wrestling.
Already having a recent appearance in NXT as a part of the crossover event with TNA Wrestling, it could be that Cardona could be a surprise entrant in the tournament who ends up going all the way.
Returning to WWE under the guise of settling his old score with John Cena would be an amazing return story but also, a seamless way for Cena to go out capturing a big win in Washington D.C.
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1. Matt Hardy
One shocking name on the list of iconic WWE stars that have never faced John Cena in singles action is Matt Hardy.
As a vehicle for Matt & Jeff Hardy to make a surprising return to WWE and overlap with John Cena, it could also be a fun passing of the retirement tour torch to the Hardy Boyz.
Able to go out on top, it would be a heartwarming moment for fans to see John Cena go out on top but without any critique of ‘burying’ the fellow legend.
Another big name never tangling in singles action with Cena — Kofi Kingston. Potentially able to join the tournament and go all the way as well, Kingston could be a great addition to the field to test all of the entrants.
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