John Cena had promised a ‘history-making’ announcement for WWE Backlash, and he didn’t disappoint.
Before the main event on Saturday night’s premium live event, the 17-time world champion hit the ring to reveal some news that truly lived up to the billing.
It’s official: the John Cena Classic is coming, complete with a brand-new namesake championship, with the power in the hands of the fans.
After reflecting on his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025, Cena unveiled plans to build on the spirit of that night.
Before GUNTHER retired the wrestler-turned-Hollywood star, fans saw rising NXT stars like Oba Femi and Sol Ruca taking on the likes of Cody Rhodes and Bayley, while Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater teamed up against AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.
At the Cena Classic, the stars of tomorrow from NXT will take on huge names from Raw and SmackDown.
The star vowed to do ‘everything’ to make it special, adding that fans will have their voices heard ‘louder than ever before’.
The fans will get to vote for the champion of the John Cena Classic, and he made sure to clarify that everyone on the card will qualify.
That means a superstar could lose their match but still win the fan vote to be the crowd champion.
Cena promised the night will be a ‘single event that embodies everything I stand for, and everything I value’.
Why is the John Cena Classic so special for WWE?
Metro’s WWE expert Alistair McGeorge breaks down the big reveal at Backlash.
Hours before the show, Cena had teased something truly special.
‘My time in @WWE has been filled with defining moments. We’re hours away from what will certainly be another,’ he promised.
He wasn’t lying.
Many, including me, expected the announcement to be a simple plug for the upcoming Club WWE membership launch, but this was played brilliantly.
Of course, it seems obvious Club WWE will play into the John Cena Classic as the platform used to vote for the champion on the night, but that didn’t need mentioning there.
Cena was right to highlight how his retirement show introduced main roster fans to the likes of Oba, Je’Von and Sol Ruca, who have since become fixtures on Raw.
We’ve already lost the likes of Cena, AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar in the past six months, with Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins not getting any younger.
This is a smart and vital way to highlight the future and fast-track them to superstardom.
I can’t wait.
What’s more, he suggested the ‘crazy idea’ could run for decades if it proves to be a success.
While it wasn’t confirmed, it seems likely fans will vote for their champion through Club WWE, with the new platform likely launching alongside the invitational.
Not surprisingly, fans instantly got behind the idea.
‘The new John Cena classic is going to be epic. I love that the fans decide who advances, and it’s a great spotlight for young and up-and-coming wrestlers,’ wrote @bowling23 on X.
‘I love that John is trying to help WWE’s future and making it a point to have a yearly event to spotlight them! I absolutely love it,’ added @ImDUstinKyle, while others hailed the idea as ‘genius’.
What happened at WWE Backlash?
It was a special reveal on a fantastic night for WWE fans.
The night began with Bron Breakker beating Seth Rollings in a brilliant opening match despite a misstep from The Visionary as they played off their history.
Lil Yatchy proved to be a difference maker next, as Sami Zayn couldn’t focus on Trick Williams, who retained his United States Championship.
Up next, Danhausen had promised a mystery partner and a close, and delivered as a Minihausen came out (later followed by several) to help him to victory over The Miz and Kit Wilson in a ludicrously entertaining bout.
Just before Cena’s announcement, Iyo Sky beat Asuka in an emotionally charged bout, which delivered even as the fans hijacked moments with ‘We want Kairi’ chants.
In the main event, Michael Cole put it best. Roman Reigns ‘survived’ against Jacob Fatu, who barely came up short against the World Heavyweight Champion.
Enraged after the loss, the Samoan Werewolf decimated the Tribal Chief (plus the referee, Adam Pearce and more) to end the show standing tall, even if he didn’t get the gold this time.
WWE Backlash results
Bron Breakker pinned Seth Rollins
US Title: Trick Williams (c) beat Sami Zayn
Danhausen and Minihausen defeated The Miz and Kit Wilson
Iyo Sky beat Asuka
World Heavyweight Title: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Jacob Fatu
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