Backstage Update on WWE’s Current Plans For Date For John Cena Classic

As noted before, this past May’s WWE Backlash 2026 event featured John Cena officially announcing a new event called The John Cena Classic and a new fan voted championship called the Cena Classic Championship. WWE was originally believed to have considered a potential December 12th date for this upcoming event prior to their announcement of Wrestlepalooza Perth taking place on that date. Cena had confirmed in an interview with Today earlier this month that his tournament would be taking place this December.

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that one source spoken to stated that they could not confirm if the John Cena Classic tournament event is more likely to follow Wrestlepalooza: Perth on December 12 with it taking place as a stateside event that evening or take place on the following weekend on December 19.

It was reported that if WWE officials chooses the December 19 date, then that would put the event up against both AEW’s Worlds End 2026 event and AAA’s Guerra De Titanes 2026 that same night.

One source spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that Saturday, December 5 is not likely an option due to the company doesn’t want to present major events on three consecutive weekends