John Cena to appear on WWE SmackDown in Sunrise on November 13 as build continues to Survivor Series: WarGames

John Cena is confirmed to appear on WWE SmackDown on Friday, November 13 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, as the blue brand continues its build toward Survivor Series: WarGames. The episode will also feature advertised appearances from Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Gunther, Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton.

WWE has linked Cena’s SmackDown stop to his promotional schedule for the John Cena Classic, with the promotion revealing his participation on the tour in the lead-up to that special event. The John Cena Classic will stage exhibition matches pitting main-roster Superstars against future NXT competitors across separate men’s and women’s divisions. WWE has presented these exhibitions as part of the build for both the Classic and other upcoming events on its calendar.

Promotional material for the November 13 show lists a number of high-profile names beyond Cena, including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Gunther, Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton. The billing also includes US champion Trick Williams and additional advertised talents, a lineup the preview says makes the episode significant on the way to Survivor Series: WarGames.

Cody Rhodes arrives on the SmackDown card following his recent Last Man Standing Match at Crown Jewel, where he came out victorious. Rhodes is also expected to continue assembling wrestlers for his Team USA entry for Survivor Series 2026, according to the promotional notes accompanying the episode.

Tiffany Stratton is among the women advertised for the November 13 show; she recently won the WWE Women’s Championship by cashing in a Money in the Bank contract against Chelsea Green at Crown Jewel. Jade Cargill is listed alongside Stratton among the female Superstars scheduled to appear.

The live SmackDown event on November 13 will be held at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, in the Fort Lauderdale area, with doors/time details listed for the local show. The live event is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM ET, while the television broadcast will start at its regular time of 8 PM ET.

The John Cena Classic is scheduled for December 14 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, and will feature the exhibition men’s and women’s divisions described by WWE; Cena’s SmackDown appearance is part of the promotion for that December event.