AEW Forced Into Change For John Cena’s WWE Retirement

John Cena is set to retire from the ring on December 13th, and it seems that has caused AEW to make another major change.

AEW has made major changes to some shows in 2025 as it battles relentless counter-programming from WWE. Most famously, AEW moved All In Texas to the afternoon to avoid clashing with Goldberg’s retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. AEW’s biggest US stadium show still had to go head-to-head with NXT Great American Bash, while WWE also attempted to fatigue wrestling fans by holding the all-female Evolution show on the following day.

John Cena will compete in the final match of his career on the December 13th edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, and it seems AEW won’t be trying to compete against that show.

John Cena Forces AEW Collision Change

A press release issued by Warner Bros. Discovery advertising “What’s New on HBO Max This December” has the December 13th edition of AEW Collision listed as starting at 4:30 pm ET. This means it will be over before Saturday Night’s Main Event begins at its scheduled time of 7:30 pm ET.

The December 13th edition of Collision will take place in Cardiff, Wales. The Welsh capital played host to both Dynamite and Collision in August 2024 ahead of Forbidden Door in London, England.

It remains to be seen who will face John Cena in his final match as the Last Time Is Now tournament continues in WWE.