WWE Still Planning John Cena’s Final 17 Matches Despite Retirement Tour Being Halfway Complete

The wrestling world assumed WWE had mapped out every detail of John Cena’s farewell run when the 16-time World Champion announced his retirement tour. However, behind-the-scenes reports suggest the company is still piecing together the Cenation Leader’s final chapter, even with his career countdown reaching its home stretch.

Cena’s Retirement Timeline Remains Fluid

Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez dropped a surprising revelation about WWE’s planning process for Cena’s swan song. Despite the Franchise Player being halfway through his retirement tour with just 17 appearances left, the company hasn’t locked down his complete schedule.

“I think he’s got like 17 dates or something, he doesn’t have many dates left. And the astonishing thing was, I was told that WWE – maybe they have by now, this was about two weeks ago – they had not worked out his exact schedule of dates leading to the end.

This revelation challenges the assumption that WWE worked backward from Cena’s December retirement date when they initially announced his 2025 farewell tour. The meticulous planning many expected simply wasn’t in place.

The Logic Behind WWE’s Flexible Approach

Alvarez’s report highlights an unexpected reality about how WWE handles even its biggest storylines. Most fans naturally assumed the company had crafted Cena’s entire retirement arc from day one, mapping out each of his announced dates with surgical precision.

Instead, WWE appears to be taking a more adaptive approach to the Doctor of Thuganomics’ final run. This strategy might actually serve the company better, allowing them to capitalize on storyline developments and audience reactions as they unfold.

SmackDown Showdown Against R-Truth

Cena’s next confirmed appearance comes on SmackDown, where he’ll square off against Ron Killings, better known as R-Truth. This match represents one of those precious 17 remaining opportunities for fans to see the Cenation Leader in action.

The matchup with R-Truth showcases WWE’s approach to Cena’s farewell tour – mixing meaningful moments with entertaining encounters that celebrate different aspects of his legendary career.

What This Means for Cena’s Final Chapter

WWE’s fluid planning for Cena’s remaining dates creates both uncertainty and excitement. While fans might have expected a detailed roadmap to his retirement, this approach allows for organic storytelling opportunities that could emerge between now and December.

The company’s flexibility means Cena’s final matches could be influenced by current storylines, surprise returns, or special events that haven’t been announced yet. This unpredictability might actually enhance the emotional impact of his farewell tour.

With only 17 matches left in one of wrestling’s most storied careers, every Cena appearance becomes must-see television. But knowing WWE is still crafting this legendary sendoff raises an intriguing question: what surprises might the company have in store for the Cenation Leader’s final bow?