WWE John Cena Classic participants: Raw, SmackDown & NXT stars who could compete at the inaugural event

WWE

There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the WWE John Cena Classic, five months on from the original announcement in May.

John Cena showed up at Backlash in May to announce an event which will feature WWE NXT and main roster names competing, with a John Cena Classic Champion to be crowned via fan vote, regardless of match result.

WWE has yet to officially announce a date and format for the event, however John Cena recently told Today that the event will happen in December.

With Cena stating that the event will be “based off of all the memory, all the nostalgia, the IP and the core values” of his WWE character, there has been a lot of speculation about participants for the event to crown the inaugural fan-voted John Cena Classic Champion.

Here are three stars who it’d make sense to see in action at the John Cena Classic event.

Mason Rook

Following Mason Rook’s WWE NXT debut in April, many fans were surprised to see John Cena celebrating the British star’s arrival on social media. 

Cena has given Rook a number of shout-outs in the months since then, clearly having a lot of respect for the former “Will Kroos”.

If Mason Rook is healthy, he’d be a great representative for NXT at the John Cena Classic, with rising star catching and maintaining the attention of the 17-time world champion.

NXT isn’t short on talented stars worth showcasing, and Mason Rook could lead the charge in December.

Matt Cardona

Similarly, Matt Cardona’s connection to John Cena makes him the SmackDown star who it’d make the most sense to see at the upcoming event.

Not only do Cardona and Cena have history in WWE, the two stars are friends in real life, which is why it was such a full-circle moment to see “Zack Ryder” make a one-off return on November 14 for the Last Time is Now Tournament to determine John Cena’s final opponent.

Officially re-joining WWE in January, Matt Cardona is on a mission to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, the only title he needs to become a Grand Slam winner.

While the John Cena Classic championship won’t exactly be on the same level as a world title, it would be proof that Cardona has the Hustle, Loyalty and Respect to hold one of WWE’s top prizes.

Je’Von Evans

Je’Von Evans is already “locked in and focused” on several WWE championship records, with the 22-year old realistically able to achieve some major goals.

If Evans wins either the Undisputed WWE Title or the World Heavyweight Championship before September 11, 2028, he will break Randy Orton’s record and become the youngest world champion in WWE history.

An Intercontinental Championship reign before December 9, 2027 would make him the youngest-ever WWE IC Champion, with Jeff Hardy currently holding that record.

If Evans competes at this December’s event, he will have the opportunity to become the first-ever John Cena Classic Champion, another accolade which could be in the young star’s bright future.

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