Listen Up, Triple H: John Cena’s Final Opponent — 5 Best Options

5. Brock Lesnar

WWE mentioned that Cena's match against Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza was their "last," but it was not heavily promoted like they did for his matches with Randy Orton or CM Punk.

Lesnar squashed Cena at Wrestlepalooza. Cena's record against Lesnar is now 2-5. WWE can tell the story of Cena as an underdog seeking victory over the one opponent who has his number. Fans in D.C. will rally behind him like we have never heard before. From a marketability standpoint, even though they just wrestled, Lesnar is arguably still the biggest draw WWE has for Cena's last match. We know TKO wants money.

If Cena slays "The Beast" in his final match, it will create a feel-good moment for the ages.

4. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins is the top heel in WWE. He is also at his career peak. As a second-to-none performer, Rollins would give Cena a classic match. A win over John Cena at the end of 2025 would propel the leader of The Vision into a substantial 2026.

As far as "paying it forward," the rub Cena would give Rollins could eventually be transferred to a younger star, like Bron Breakker, who will beat Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Breakker could say: "I beat the man who ended John Cena's career."

3. Drew McIntyre

We haven't forgotten Drew's words to Cena before Elimination Chamber.

Drew is not the youngest star on the roster, but he deserves this moment. He has put in tremendous work to become a consistently compelling character on and off-screen.

The off-screen part is important. Cena only has five remaining dates.

• October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
• November 10: WWE Raw in Boston, Massachusetts
• November 17: WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden
• November 29: Survivor Series in San Diego, California
• December 13: Retirement Match

Whoever his last opponent is will need to carry the promo work on television, as well as stir up interest online. Drew and Cena could sell their match through posts on X alone.

2. Gunther

Gunther is no stranger to "last matches" in 2025.

We haven't seen Gunther since he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at SummerSlam. He is rumored to return soon, and if I were Triple H, I would keep him off television until Crown Jewel to begin building toward a match with Cena. If Gunther is not Cena's last match, I expect them to face off at Survivor Series.

1. Dominik Mysterio

We know Cena wants to face Dominik Mysterio on his retirement tour; he has said so on television. Triple H has granted Cena his wish to face AJ Styles. Why not keep it going with Mysterio?

If Cena faces Dominik:

• They can draw on Cena's history with Rey Mysterio, incorporating nostalgic elements of Cena's early career on SmackDown.
• Dom will get mega heat.
• The match will be good.
• WWE will get the best ROI. If Cena is going to "pay it forward," Mysterio is the most promising young star from whom WWE could get the longest ROI for such a prestigious moment.

Can't you hear Dominik for the next 10 years saying, "I'm the man who beat John Cena in his last match!"

Dominik may not be the biggest name, but he is the best option.

How to Watch John Cena's Last Match

• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Start Time: TBA
• Streaming: Peacock
• Venue: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (not confirmed by WWE)