With the Last Time Is Now tournament kicking off to determine who will be the last WWE opponent of John Cena, there may be non-WWE stars entering as well.
From current top names from other promotions to indie wrestling success stories, there are some intriguing names that could join the field as surprise entrants from outside of WWE.
Here are eight non-WWE stars that could enter the Last Time Is Now tournament to determine John Cena’s final opponent.
8. 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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7. Bishop Dyer (fka Baron Corbin)
With a history in WWE with John Cena, Baron Corbin could be an amazing surprise entrant into the tournament under his new independent name, Bishop Dyer.
Currently appearing in MLW as a member of the MLW Tag Team Champions The Skyscrapers along with another WWE alum in Dijak — it could be a great crossover to see both appear for the tournament bout.
Even losing in the first round, it would be a fun surprise to see a veteran WWE presence bring his brand new indie character to WWE.
Being a fun addition to the tournament, Dyer could gain some acclaim for his current work as well as have an enjoyable match on WWE TV once again.
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6. 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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5. Matt Hardy
One intriguing name on the list of notable WWE stars that have never faced John Cena in singles action is current TNA Wrestling star Matt Hardy.
While Hardy has been open about his hope that he and his brother Jeff Hardy could end their careers after another spell in WWE — perhaps the Last Time Is Now tournament is the ideal time to return.
With Matt Hardy never having faced Cena and Jeff Hardy with also arguably with unresolved business with Cena — it could be either of the Hardy Boyz making a return to WWE in time to possibly face the 17x champ.
Of note, a current WWE star who also holds the designation of not having faced Cena in singles action who could also be included in the tournament is the New Day’s Kofi Kingston.
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4. Nic Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler)
A potential entrant from outside WWE could be a former in-ring foe for years in WWE.
Yet to re-appear in WWE on NXT despite the continued crossovers between the brands is the former Dolph Ziggler, Nic Nemeth.
After having tangled many times in their overlapping WWE careers, it could be an amazing return moment for the former Ziggler to join the Last Time Is Now tournament.
In an alternate, it could be Nemeth’s brother and current TNA Wrestling star (formerly of AEW) Ryan Nemeth who could enter the tournament only to be taken out in the first round.
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3. Edge
Facing off many times over the course of their careers, one amazing rival of John Cena was Edge.
Despite random online rumors, it doesn’t seem that it will truly be Adam Copeland joining the Last Time Is Now tournament to face off against John Cena.
For fans who continue to hold out hope, it doesn’t seem that the meeting is actually destined to be for a myriad of reasons but most of all — Copeland remains under contract with AEW.
Despite Adam Copeland’s current absence from AEW TV, he certainly remains under contract with Tony Khan’s brand. His recent absence is said to be related to filming for the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians in which he guest stars as the God of War, Ares.
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2. Chris Jericho
Another name that fans are hopeful about potentially making a return to WWE to face John Cena again is Chris Jericho.
Although it would be a wonderful addition to the tournament, it doesn’t seem that the retirement tour of John Cena will be overlapping with any appearances by Chris Jericho.
With Jericho reportedly still locked into a contract with AEW until the end of the year, it would not make sense to see the potential future WWE Hall of Famer enter the tournament.
However since in professional wrestling, you can always expect the unexpected — fans can never say never but a return from Jericho before 2026 remains highly unlikely.
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1. JBL
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Another potential former foe of John Cena that could make a surprise return for the Last Time Is Now tournament is John Bradshaw Layfield, JBL./
While the WWE veteran has been out of in-ring action since 2009, he could potential progress in the tournament based on history of violence and potentially bribes alone.
Making for a fun detail, at least one first round combatant set to face off against JBL could abandon the task — rather electing to lose the bout instead of facing off against the tough Texan — before JBL probably falling in a second round bout against a more viable challenger.
With the opportunity for the field to host fun returns in addition to very serious contenders for the opportunity to face Cena again — it could be an enjoyable blast from the past to see John Bradshaw Layfield pop around for another go.
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