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John Cena announced some “historic” news ahead of WWE Backlash on Saturday and he delivered.
Cena announced the formation of the John Cena Classic, which will be a showcase of professional wrestling talent from across the WWE roster – from major brands to NXT. He said the event would feature a fan-voted champion. WWE wrestlers who lose their respective matches could still emerge as winners of the event.
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John Cena smiles during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on May 9, 2026. (Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images)
“I’m so honored tonight to announce the John Cena Classic. A full evening of today’s best competing against tomorrow’s best,” Cena told the crowd in Tampa, Florida. “A full event where WWE and NXT Superstars have the opportunity to give you everything they have in hopes of being crowned champion.
“…And not just any championship. It’s an event and it’s a championship that I personally put my name on. So, I’m going to strive for a certain level of excellence and I’m also going to do everything I can to make it special.”
John Cena enters the ring during Survivor Series at Petco Park in San Diego, California on November 29, 2025. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
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Cena reiterated that the “biggest star” in WWE is the audience. He said fans would vote to “crown the John Cena Classic champion,” noting that everyone listed on the card is eligible for the championship.
The 17-time WWE Champion recalled how much he loved putting the future of WWE on the map before his final match. While Cena lost to Gunther, several other up-and-coming talents were able to make their mark in front of a massive crowd in Washington, D.C., in December.
The event saw Sol Ruca defeat Bayley, Oba Femi take on Cody Rhodes and Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater take on AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in a tag team match.
Femi then challenged and defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 and Evans missed the Intercontinental Championship at the same event. Ruca has since arrived on Raw and is set to challenge Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, while Leon Slater is closing in on a record-breaking X-Division Championship reign for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
Oba Femi enters the ring during WrestleMania 42: Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s unclear when the event will take place, but it will add to WWE’s busy schedule throughout the summer.
