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WWE Confirms John Cena Will Face Massive Legend One Final Time

By Monika Thapa • Published Sep 07, 2025 07:44 EDT
John Cena Reveals Which Match Finish He Felt Was

John Cena made his final Friday Night SmackDown appearance on the September 5, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown.

He kicked off the show and addressed the Chicago crowd, reminding everyone that he made his main roster debut in the same city 23 years ago, and his opponent was Kurt Angle. Shortly after, the United States Champion, Sami Zayn, appeared to thank John Cena for giving him his big break with a U.S. Title Open Challenge during his main roster debut nearly a decade ago.

To honor The Never Seen 17’s legacy as the United States Champion, Zayn then challenged John Cena to a match with his title on the line, which the latter accepted. Cena paid tribute to many of his iconic rivals, like CM Punk, Kurt Angle, and Kevin Owens, during this match by performing their signature moves. The match showcased an intense back-and-forth battle, with both wrestlers giving their best.

However, the thrilling contest abruptly ended in a no-contest when Brock Lesnar returned and attacked Zayn and then Cena with F5s. After laying waste to the former Undisputed WWE Champion, The Beast Incarnate challenged him for a singles match at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event scheduled for September 20, 2025, in Indianapolis.

John Cena Vs. Brock Lesnar: One Last Time at Wrestlepalooza

While advertising John Cena and Brock Lesnar’s upcoming clash at Wrestlepalooza on X/ Twitter, WWE also declared that this match is going to be the “one last time” the two legends will step inside the ring against each other.

“.@JohnCena and Brock Lesnar will go to war one last time at #Wrestlepalooza,” WWE tweeted on X.

Later in the show, Michael Cole addressed Lesnar’s surprise appearance on this week’s SmackDown episode and also revealed that The Conqueror will return to the Friday Night Show next week, which will take place on September 13, 2025, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

“And it’s also the return of the Beast – Brock Lesnar. After his attack on John Cena earlier tonight, he faces Cena two weeks from tomorrow at Wrestlepalooza. Brock Lesnar will be on SmackDown Live.”