Cena’s Final Match Could Go Head to Head with AEW Worlds End

Speculation is growing that WWE may stage one of the most anticipated matches in its history directly opposite a major All Elite Wrestling event. According to reports from Wrestling Observer Live’s Bryan Alvarez, internal discussions are underway within WWE to shift the date of John Cena’s farewell bout so that it would air head to head with AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view in December.

While the idea has not been confirmed, Alvarez indicated that the possibility is being taken seriously by WWE executives. The change would represent one of the boldest examples of counter programming between the two companies since AEW’s launch.

The original plan, Alvarez explained, was for Cena’s final match to take place in early December during a special edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, talks have emerged about moving it later in the month, aligning it directly with AEW’s Worlds End, scheduled for Saturday, December 27 at the NOW Arena in Chicago. Cena’s farewell is expected to be held in Boston, his hometown, which would add a deeply emotional layer to the night.

If this scheduling adjustment moves forward, it would not be the first time in 2024 that WWE has positioned one of its premium live events directly against a major AEW show. Earlier reports confirmed that WWE plans to stage a marquee event on Saturday, September 20, headlined by John Cena versus Brock Lesnar, directly opposing AEW’s All Out pay-per-view. Alvarez noted that he had previously heard of another potential head to head clash before the end of the year, which appears to match the current discussions.

The strategy behind such a move is clear. Counter programming has long been a tool in wrestling’s competitive playbook, used to siphon viewers away from rival broadcasts and create narrative dominance in the industry. In this case, WWE would be betting that Cena’s retirement match, a once in a lifetime moment for fans, would command significantly more attention than AEW’s year end spectacle.

Cena’s career has spanned over two decades, during which he became one of WWE’s most marketable and recognizable stars. His final match is expected to be a celebration of his legacy, drawing fans not only for the in ring action but also for the historical significance. Hosting such a match on the same night as AEW’s closing event of the year could heavily impact AEW’s viewership numbers, especially among casual wrestling fans who might see Cena’s farewell as the must watch event.

AEW, on the other hand, has built Worlds End into a key fixture on its annual calendar, often featuring high stakes matches and championship bouts to close the year with impact. Going head to head with Cena’s retirement would be an unprecedented challenge for the company, testing its ability to hold audience attention against one of wrestling’s most iconic names.

For now, WWE has yet to officially announce the final date for Cena’s farewell. Until confirmation comes, both fanbases will continue to speculate, and industry insiders will watch closely to see whether this maneuver turns into the most direct competitive clash of the modern wrestling era.