Power Ranking Opponents for John Cena's Retirement Match

John Cena has been a WWE Superstar for over 20 years, he’s done everything there is to do in the wrestling industry. 16-time world champion, 2-time Royal Rumble winner, Mr. Money in the Bank, and anything else in the WWE. He’s been the face of pro wrestling for 2 decades and he’s finally calling it quits in 2025. It could be a fantastic final run for Cena, but there’s a big question on everyone’s minds. Who will be his final opponent? Here are some wrestlers who would be perfect for John Cena’s sendoff.

5.) Randy Orton

Starting with the most obvious choice, Randy Orton vs. John Cena is a rivalry that defined a generation. They’re comparable to Stone Cold vs. The Rock or Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels. Millions of wrestling fans grew up watching these two go to war, which hooked countless kids in the 2000s.

If this isn’t Cena’s last match, it should at least be on the path there. These two haven’t met one-on-one since 2017, so the match has a fresher feel to it. Facing off with his greatest opponent could be a perfect way for Cena to retire. Orton is having an incredible second wind in his career, and this match is big enough that it wouldn’t require much buildup. Cena spending his last moments in the ring with Orton is a no-brainer, and it’s almost guaranteed to break the box office.

4.) CM Punk

CM Punk is a great choice here for a lot of the reasons Randy Orton is. Cena and Punk had some of the best matches WWE has seen in the last 20 years. Their match at Money in the Bank 2011 is a top 5 for many wrestling fans. Their feud brought a lot of people back into wrestling at a time when interest was declining.

Cena clarified that he’s wrestling throughout 2025, and who knows where CM Punk will be a year and a half from now. He’s shown he can still wrestle at a high level, but he seems to struggle to stay healthy. By the end of 2025, we might be talking about CM Punk’s eventual retirement. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Punk’s last match. But to see the two of them go one-on-one this late in their careers could feed nostalgia for tons of fans.

3.) Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens cut his teeth on WWE’s main roster in 2015 by attacking John Cena on night one. It was unheard of to see the NXT champion come up to Raw, and not only beat up John Cena but defeat him. This cemented KO as the star he is today.

Owens might be an odd choice for this match, but it could also be extremely interesting to see him get that massive win over Cena again 10 years later. While they don’t have the history that Cena and Orton do, Owens is still a guy who can benefit from retiring John Cena. KO also fought Steve Austin in his final match, so there’s already precedent for him to send guys into the sunset. It’s not a match that’s expected, but why not throw the curveball?

2.) Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes is a recent call-up to the main roster, but he’s already establishing himself in a big way. He’s a former NXT champion, he puts on great matches in the ring, and his heel persona is perfect for retiring a Mount Rushmore wrestler.

Hayes is already seen by many as someone with the potential to be the next John Cena, and the two have interacted on TV as well. A win over John Cena could benefit Melo more than anyone on this list and bring a lot of eyes to the future of wrestling. Melo can even go into the match as the United States champion and defend the title that John Cena brought prestige to. What better way to solidify a young rising star?

1.) Gunther

Not exactly the number 1 option on everybody’s minds, Gunther could be the perfect final opponent for John Cena. “The Ring General” Gunther has been an absolute force in WWE. He held the United Kingdom championship for 870 days and the Intercontinental championship for 666 days, both record-breaking reigns. He’s put down everyone in his way and the current King of the Ring could easily be the next World Heavyweight champion coming out of SummerSlam.

John Cena vs. Gunther is a match that could tear the house down. Cena might not be in his prime anymore, but if he’s committed to this final run, he’ll show out every time he’s in the ring. Gunther is one of the best wrestlers on the planet, and a win over John Cena would be massive for him. Gunther’s character is motivated by respecting the ring, something John Cena can relate to. The visual of Cena shaking Gunther’s hand and giving him that respect could be unforgettable. The Ring General is already on a Hall of Fame run; he may as well cement his legacy further by retiring one of the GOATs.

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