John Cena confirms his John Cena Classic tournament for December

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John Cena has confirmed that the John Cena Classic will take place in December, Fightful reports. Speaking on the TODAY show, Cena said he was excited to announce that the tournament would happen this year. The idea was first revealed at WWE Backlash in May, so fans have been waiting several months for details. December is now confirmed

The format is unusual. Fans will vote for the winner, which means a wrestler could lose matches and still win the tournament. Cena said the tournament is built around "Hustle, loyalty, respect, perseverance, virtue, overcoming the odds." That echoes his own famous catchphrases, including his long running slogan about hustle, loyalty and respect

Fightful notes that WWE has Wrestlepalooza scheduled for 12 December in Australia, which could be a possible host event. Nothing has been confirmed about where the final will take place, or which wrestlers will enter. A fan voted tournament gives WWE a way to reward popular wrestlers who might not otherwise get a push. It also means the result is harder to predict than usual

Cena retired from in ring competition at the end of 2025 after a long farewell tour, so a tournament bearing his name is a natural way to keep him connected to WWE. Plenty of wrestling legends have had memorial or tribute tournaments, but few have one named after them while still so involved. POST Wrestling also reported the news

Is a fan voted tournament a good idea, or does it turn into a popularity contest? And who would you vote for in the John Cena Classic?

John Cena Confirms John Cena Classic For December 2026www.fightful.com