One dream match for John Cena’s retirement is officially off the table. WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle confirmed he will not be the 17-time world champion’s final opponent, ending speculation of a full-circle finish to Cena’s career, which began against Angle on the June 27, 2002 episode of SmackDown.
Angle has not wrestled since 2019. Cena’s farewell tour will conclude with his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 in Washington, D.C., one of only five dates left on his schedule. The wrestling world now speculates who will receive the honor of facing him in his final bout.
Speaking on Off The Ropes, the Olympic gold medalist praised Cena before clarifying his stance:
“I consider John the greatest of all time. You know, what he’s done for wrestling as a pioneer, as a spokesperson, as a champion, 17 world heavyweight titles, no one’s ever done that. John has the ability to stay healthy and never get injured, so his elongated career has made him the best in the business. You know you look at Undertaker, Undertaker’s been hurt many times and had to back out for a while. I’ve been hurt had to back out for a while. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s been hurt, had to back out for a while. Shawn Michaels, his back was injured, he had to go for a while. So John’s been able to keep his career going and no one’s had that kind of endurance. So I think that’s what makes John special. But not only that you think about all the Make-A-Wish kids that he met, he was just such a pioneer for wrestling. So I believe John is just the greatest of all time and to be affiliated with him, I know I was his first match and that was really cool. I wouldn’t have minded being John Cena’s last match – but there’s no way in hell I can get in that ring right now, so it’s not gonna happen. But it would have been pretty cool.”
Their history extends beyond Cena’s debut. Cena inducted Angle into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, the same year they last shared a ring as opponents in a 10-person tag at Survivor Series.
This update follows Cena’s decisive loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. In a match reminiscent of their infamous 2014 SummerSlam squash, Lesnar delivered seven F-5s inside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Despite the beating, Cena mounted a fiery comeback, landing three consecutive Attitude Adjustments that only scored a two-count. On commentary, Michael Cole reminded viewers the move was once called the “FU” as a direct shot at Lesnar’s finisher.
With Angle out, the path to Cena’s final match remains uncertain. His next confirmed stop is Crown Jewel in Australia on October 11, where fans will be watching closely to see what comes next.