John Cena has explained the thinking behind the new John Cena Classic event he unveiled at WWE Backlash, conceding the format may not be perfect but defending it as a true reflection of who he is. In a post on X, Cena laid out his philosophy.
“When asked to give advice, especially with WWE, I often reply ‘be authentic’, ‘do not fear failure’, ‘know your why.’ The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it’s authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs. I’m aware that there is the risk it might be a total failure and I’m not afraid of that and believe it’s still worth stepping ‘in the arena.'”
Cena added that his goal post-retirement is to create new opportunities for NXT talent.
“My ‘why’ in WWE is to consistently be as useful as possible for as long as possible, with my in ring career at an end, my ‘why’ is to use whatever energy or relevance I have left in hopes to create a launchpad of opportunity for all talent to show their skills while simultaneously creating a unique experience for our dedicated fan base. At the very least..we all learn something. At the very best..we all create something. I’m ready for wherever the road takes us. Thank you WWE for this opportunity. More details to come as we figure all this out!”
At Backlash, Cena revealed the John Cena Classic as a recurring event that will see NXT wrestlers compete against main roster stars in a similar format to the undercard of his final match in December. The new Classic champion will be determined through a fan vote, with even wrestlers who lose their match remaining eligible to be voted in as champion. Cena had been hyping the announcement throughout the week, calling it a defining moment in his career.
