Five potential matches WWE could stage at the John Cena Classic in Orlando
John Cena announced that the John Cena Classic will take place on Dec. 14 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, an event that will bring together Superstars from WWE and NXT. The tournament, named in honor of Cena, will feature competitors fighting for Cena Classic titles and wider recognition.
WWE confirmed it will air two episodes of Raw on Dec. 14, with the first episode originating from Perth, Australia, and the second broadcast live from Orlando featuring the John Cena Classic. Cena will personally select some participating Superstars and Cody Rhodes has been announced as the first confirmed participant. Fan voting through Club WWE will play an important role in determining the tournament’s champion.
John Cena extended an invitation to Kelani Jordan for the John Cena Classic, and the Standout could square off against main roster talent Iyo Sky; that potential matchup was first teased on RAW a few weeks ago and has generated fan interest as a high-flying pairing. The suggestion links an NXT standout to an established main roster performer and presents a stylistically fast-paced option for the tournament card.
A Bloodline-themed confrontation could pit the second invitee, Zilla Fatu, against his cousin Solo Sikoa. The coverage notes that Zilla is the son of Umaga and that Sikoa has taken huge inspiration from his father in his wrestling career, framing the bout as a family-inflected clash between two members of the same extended lineage.
WWE could also schedule a heavyweight-style encounter between Jade Cargill and Zaria, identified in the coverage as the NXT Women’s North American Champion. The piece describes this pairing as a meeting of two power-oriented competitors and suggests the match would represent a significant opportunity for Zaria.
‘The Ruler’ Oba Femi is cited as a top NXT star during his time in the developmental brand who has been on a historic rise since his call-up to the main roster this year. Grayson Waller is noted to have returned to NXT and become the top player by winning the NXT title; the John Cena Classic could bring these two rising names from different brands into direct competition.
A generational matchup outlined for the event would see ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes face Charlie Dempsey, with the coverage pointing to both competitors having wrestling in their blood and significant lineage. The article frames that potential singles encounter as one that could showcase technical and familial pedigree inside the ring.
The tournament is scheduled for December 14, 2026, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, with WWE televising the second of its two Raw episodes live from Orlando and incorporating fan voting via Club WWE into the process of determining the Cena Classic champion.