The John Cena Classic is still coming, with details of the behind-the-scenes discussions emerging ahead of its probable December date.
Announced at WWE Backlash back in May of this year, details of the John Cena Classic have been thin on the ground, with a date tentatively set for December 12, the same day as Wrestlepalooza in Perth, Australia.
While the date hasn’t been officially confirmed, more details have now emerged of the discussions taking place:
What’s the John Cena Classic?
With around five months having passed since the announcement and no real tangible reveals since, fans may be forgiven for not remembering the John Cena Classic.
Described as a showcase of matches featuring main roster and NXT stars, the John Cena Classic would see fans decide who the first-ever winner of the event, in whatever form it takes.
With fan voting at its heart, Cena has previously addressed that aspect of the Classic and how he doesn’t “want it hijacked.”
A fresh look and feel
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select (and as reported by Fightful), there have been “multiple meetings and creative discussions” when it comes to the John Cena Classic.
The report notes that WWE wants to “ensure it looks and feels fresh”, something that is certainly attainable given that main roster vs. NXT star matches are thin on the ground and fan voting isn’t regularly used outside of the NXT End of Year Awards.
WrestleVotes Radio would note that “various individuals who don’t typically weigh in on these types of projects were consulted”. Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles would be named, with the former overseeing NXT and the latter enjoying a varied role backstage.
More details coming soon?
Assuming December is still on the cards, it would come as no surprise that more details of the John Cena Classic could emerge at the start of November.
John Cena is set to return to WWE Raw on November 2, marking his first appearance on the Monday night show since retiring. Hyping the upcoming appearance, the official teaser reveals nothing other than that he will be on the show.
Wednesday will also see John Cena and Cody Rhodes appear on WWE NXT, with the show going head-to-head with AEW Dynamite. NXT has changed from its usual Tuesday night slot due to election coverage.
Two Cena appearances in one week would be a missed opportunity if the retired star didn’t share some details of the Classic, leading to potential Raw and NXT roster members eyeing involvement.
A ‘milestone program’
WrestleVotes Radio revealed that “the initial idea was pitched as a showcase and a milestone program for Club WWE“, the subscription platform that was also launched earlier this year and sees Cena as an ambassador.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, however, there is a suggestion the show could “be streamed elsewhere”, with WWE having multiple paths for such an eventuality, including Netflix and YouTube.
Plenty of potential
Whatever form it takes, the John Cena Classic has potential, particularly for NXT stars stepping into the ring with main roster names for the first time. Beyond the idea of the exhibition matches, there’s the possibility that, for some NXT stars, it’ll allow Raw and SmackDown creative to see how they could possibly perform after a call-up.
The key will be not derailing anything that is already taking place on Raw and SmackDown when it comes to main roster stars being involved, something that WWE creative are no doubt taking into consideration.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December of last year saw Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi in a Champion vs. Champion match that went to no contest thanks to interference from Drew McIntyre. Elsewhere on the show, Sol Ruca faced Bayley, and GUNTHER would be the star to retire John Cena.
Perhaps most interestingly, and a potential sign of things to come for the Classic, AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defeated Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater, with the latter getting a WWE main roster debut while being signed to TNA Wrestling, something fans have seen before with Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry.
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