According to a report from PWMania.com, WWE legend and 17-time World Champion John Cena announced the creation of the John Cena Classic during the 2026 Backlash premium live event in May. While details about the tournament are limited, it is confirmed that wrestlers from all three brands—RAW, SmackDown, and NXT—will compete, with the winner being determined by fan votes.
Since the announcement, fans have been curious about when WWE plans to host the inaugural tournament. Sources have informed False Finish that the event is tentatively scheduled for December 12th; however, the company has not yet finalized a location.
In May, PWInsider.com reported that WWE aims to hold the event after Survivor Series, which is set for November 28th in Houston, Texas.
At San Diego Comic-Con last month, Cena was asked for an update on the tournament. Although he did not provide concrete details about how the tournament would be structured, he mentioned that both he and the company are looking to hold the event toward the end of this year.
