John Cena announced on WWE Raw in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday that the John Cena Classic will take place on Monday, December 14 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as a special edition of Raw. He also unveiled the John Cena Classic Championship and named Cody Rhodes as the first entrant.
It was Cena’s first Raw appearance since he retired.
“Man, oh man, Brooklyn, New York, we are sold out here tonight,” Cena said. “This is the center of the world. If you want to make history, if you got a big announcement, you bring yourself to New York City.”
“December 14 is going to make history because for the first time ever there will be two Raws on one Monday night,” Cena said. “One emanating live from Perth, and then again that evening in a special edition of Monday Night Raw, the John Cena Classic is brought to you live from Disney World in Orlando, Florida.”
WWE said on X that the event will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
BREAKING NEWS: @JohnCena just announced the John Cena Classic will take place on Dec. 14 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! pic.twitter.com/VZk9lam17L
— WWE (@WWE) November 3, 2026
Commentary said later in the show that the event will feature WWE’s biggest names from Raw and SmackDown against the top up-and-coming stars from NXT, that Fanatics will host a WWE World Fair in Orlando around the event, and that the night will end with the fans’ pick for the top Superstar of the night being announced. Fans can pre-register for more information at WWE.com/CenaClassic.
The John Cena Classic will take place on Dec. 14 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! 🫡
Pre-register for more info: https://t.co/ZfPSKz9m7w pic.twitter.com/9ccL5i97q6
— WWE (@WWE) November 3, 2026
Cena then unveiled the John Cena Classic Championship, which goes to the winner.
“I have my heart and soul in this event,” Cena said. “My name is on this event. This event encapsulates every single thing I stand for: perseverance, hustle, loyalty, respect.” He said that out of respect for the fans, “the power to vote will live at Club WWE.”
Cena named Rhodes as the first invitee.
“Brooklyn understands why you are number one,” Cena said. “Number one sets the pace, sets the tone. There’s going to be more invites.” Cena said he will go to NXT on Wednesday, appear on Raw and SmackDown, and go to Survivor Series in Houston, Texas, “to make sure the John Cena Classic is absolutely stacked.”
Cena also took back what he said about Rhodes on New York radio.
“Somebody asked me about Cody Rhodes being QB1. You all know what I said? I said you’re carrying a weight that you can’t handle. I was wrong. You’re just carrying it better than I ever could,” Cena said. “I love you, bud, and I’m so glad to officially invite you to the John Cena Classic.”
The FIRST invitee to the John Cena Classic is… pic.twitter.com/m7a1BMCc1D
— WWE (@WWE) November 3, 2026
Randy Orton’s music hit while Cena and Rhodes hugged. Rhodes faces Orton in a Last Man Standing match at Crown Jewel on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Commentary announced that Cena and Rhodes will be at NXT on Wednesday to present the trophy to the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. WWE also announced on X that Cena will be at Survivor Series in Houston on November 28.
Full results from tonight’s show are in our WWE Raw live coverage.
