John Cena’s farewell tour is about to hit one of its most emotional stops.
Per Sports Illustrated, tonight, the 16-time World Champion returns to WWE SmackDown in Chicago for what’s expected to be his final appearance on the show that launched his career.
For longtime fans, the moment comes full circle. Cena made his WWE debut in June 2002 on SmackDown, stepping up to Kurt Angle in the same building—then known as the Rosemont Horizon, now the Allstate Arena. Over two decades later, he’ll walk into that arena one last time as an active competitor, closing the chapter where it all began. More than 16,000 fans are set to be in attendance for the sendoff.
Cena has only a handful of dates left before his final match in December, and with two of them already confirmed, every appearance feels monumental.
Just last weekend, he defeated Logan Paul at Clash in Paris, a win that reminded the world why he’s been called the “Greatest of All Time.”
But looming over his remaining months is Brock Lesnar. The Beast returned at SummerSlam to drop Cena with an F-5, and speculation is growing that the two will collide one last time at Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis.
Whether that rivalry gets its spark tonight is one of the biggest questions heading into the show.
Chicago could also play host to some extra drama. CM Punk, though officially a Raw Superstar, has strongly hinted he’ll be at the Allstate Arena. His feud with Seth Rollins has escalated in recent weeks, and his hometown crowd may be the stage for the next chapter.
Meanwhile, Randy Orton and Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton are among the names advertised for the night, but no official matches have been announced yet. That only adds to the anticipation of what feels like a once-in-a-generation event.