With John Cena’s final WWE match officially set for December 13, the debate over his last opponent has intensified, framing a fundamental question about the purpose of a retirement match. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has entered the discussion with a definitive choice, championing a philosophy that prioritizes building the future over a nostalgic encounter between established legends.
Henry has pitched current TNA star Joe Hendry for the role, advocating for Cena to use his final bow to elevate a new talent. The farewell match is scheduled to take place at the Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII special in Washington, D.C.
Speaking with TMZ, Henry articulated his belief that Cena should provide a career-defining moment for an up-and-coming competitor, dismissing suggestions of a veteran like Chris Jericho.
“If John Cena wants to give back to the business, you give it to somebody that’s gonna have career,” Henry stated. “Just like him, when he came in, and him and Kurt Angle went at it, him having an initial interaction with Kurt Angle is what forced the level of where he was gonna be. You’ve gotta give it back, you’ve gotta give the rub.”
Henry noted that while Hendry is “over as hell,” he lacks a signature main roster victory. A win over Cena, he argued, would provide that critical validation. “He’s gotta have something that the world is gonna say, ‘Damn, you beat John Cena on his way out, holy s–t.'”
Hendry’s potential move to WWE is already in motion, as his TNA contract is set to expire at the end of the year. He is already being featured on NXT television programming and works the brand’s untelevised live events. The former TNA World Champion also made main roster appearances earlier this year, competing in the Royal Rumble match and facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
Cena’s final match on December 13 will cap a five-date farewell tour, which he acknowledged with a post stating, “One Last Dance. Final Final 12/13/25.” The final run begins with a marquee match against AJ Styles at Crown Jewel: Perth and includes scheduled appearances on the November 10 and November 17 episodes of Monday Night RAW, as well as a spot at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29. The match against Styles carries its own significance, as Styles has also indicated he plans to retire within the next year.