WWE Fuels AEW Rumors Around Cena’s Last Match

The rumors of AEW involvement in the Cena tournament have grown, in part, because Cena’s carefully chosen words in recent interviews and on social media as evidence that the company wants to “keep the door open” — or at least make it look that way. He said in his promo that wrestlers who could be in the tournament "might not even work here." Then, on Friday's episode of SmackDown, GM Nick Aldis refused to reveal who LA Knight's opponent would be, joking that he would 'keep that one a surprise.'

Feels Like A Win/Win For WWE

If true, it’s a clever piece of marketing from WWE. Even if AEW talent doesn’t actually appear, the suggestion alone keeps fans buzzing online and boosts anticipation for every tournament reveal. It also fuels discussion of potential dream matches, including one with Edge or Chris Jericho, who have been rumored to have received permission to appear or are leaving AEW in the near future.

“Why not keep things open?” Alvarez noted. “It’s a win-win. Theories drive engagement — and if by some miracle something behind the scenes works out, they’re already set up for it.” WWE doesn't need to hint that AEW stars are involved because fans will already make that assumption. Frankly, even if WWE publicly denied the rumors, some fans might not believe it, simply because the idea of keeping things a surprise might mean deceiving the WWE Universe.

Whether this is pure fan service or a genuine tease, it’s working. The buzz around Cena’s final match has exploded across social media, with fans fantasy-booking opponents from both WWE and AEW rosters.

Even if the speculation never materializes, most agree it’s a smart move from WWE’s promotional standpoint. The idea seems to be, if an AEW wrestler shows up — great. If not, fans will still tune in to see who does.

Either way, Cena’s farewell run is already doing exactly what it should: keeping fans guessing, debating, and watching every move WWE makes.