John Cena's WWE run is coming to a close. The 17-time champion will retire at the end of 2025 and as each day passes, so does the number of appearances he has left. WWE SmackDown is hours away, and there's growing belief that this will be Cena's last time appearing on the card. Not only that, but Fightful Select reports that he'll be joined by a big name.
According to WrestleVotes, the belief is that the upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown on Friday, September 5 will be the last time Cena is on the show. He has seven apparances remaining, with two that have yet to be announced. Looking ahead to the schedule, there's speculation that another episode of SmackDown will not be added to that list.
We’re told some within WWE are quietly expecting tomorrow night to be John Cena’s final SmackDown. According to a source, with only seven remaining dates left—and just two yet to be announced—it’s unlikely another will be a SmackDown event, meaning Cena will have debuted and…
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) September 4, 2025
"We're told some within WWE are quietly expecting tomorrow night to be John Cena's final SmackDown," WrestleVotes posted on Twitter. "According to a source, with only seven remaining dates left - and just two yet to be announced - it's unlikely another will be a SmackDown event, meaning Cena will have debuted and ended his run on the blue brand in the very same building, Chicago's Allstate Arena."
That SmackDown debut happened 23 years ago when Cena appeared on the June 27 episode to answer Kurt Angle with his famed "Ruthless Aggression" line. That would be the first step in what would make Cena the wrestling icon that he is today.
Where John Cena goes, Brock Lesnar is close behind
it does not look like Cena will be alone. According to Fightful Select, Brock Lesnar is set for Friday's episode as well.
"Fightful Select has learned that Brock Lesnar has been scheduled to travel to Chicago this week," the outlet reported on Thrusday. "Friday's episode of Smackdown emanates from Chicago, and sources in WWE that we spoke to said that he was discussed as a possibility for the show."
Lesnar's return at WWE SummerSlam was one of the most talked about and controversial moments of the year. One that still hasn't settled in the eyes of many, as he is named more than 40 times in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and the WWE. Bringing him back as that legal proceeding is still being worked out is an embarassing moment for the WWE, and one that should be met with harsh criticism.
Fans should make it a point to take in every John Cena appearance on the schedule. There aren't many left until he hangs up the jorts for good.