Bold headline: This is Cena’s farewell stage—and the names backstage are as intriguing as the main event itself. Tonight, WWE brings Saturday Night’s Main Event to the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., featuring the final match of John Cena’s storied career. While Cena headlines the card, several former champions and additional talents, not officially announced for the show, have been spotted in the city, hinting at potential surprise appearances.
Legends and Backstage Buzz
WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is in town. Van Dam, who once captured the WWE Championship from Cena at ECW One Night Stand in 2006, appeared during a Cena tribute segment on the Countdown to Saturday Night’s Main Event YouTube special.
Kurt Angle and Mark Henry also showed up on the YouTube countdown. Angle has a historic first-match memory with Cena from Cena’s early WWE days in 2002, while Henry is known for a notable feud with Cena back in 2013.
According to PWInsider, Elijah (formerly Elias in WWE) and Joe Hendry of TNA were on a flight from Florida to D.C. yesterday. The report also notes that Drew McIntyre was backstage earlier today. In current storylines, McIntyre is under a WWE suspension.
How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
- Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
- United States Streaming: Peacock
- International Streaming: WWE Network
Full Match Card
- John Cena’s Final Match: John Cena vs. Gunther
- Champion vs. Champion: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
- World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
- Singles Match: Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
But here’s where it gets controversial: the presence of legendary names and unscheduled stars raises questions about potential last-minute twists or symbolically meaningful moments that could redefine Cena’s farewell night. Could these backstage appearances hint at unannounced matches, looming feuds, or surprise returns that audiences might debate for days? And this is the part most people miss—how much influence do these cameos have on the crowd’s emotional arc and on Cena’s final moments in the ring?
What this means for fans: Sunday’s headlines may overshadow the genuine moment of Cena’s career, but the real takeaway is that Cena’s legacy continues to influence not just his peers, but the next generation of wrestlers already on the roster. What’s your take: should WWE lean into surprise appearances for a lasting memorial, or keep the focus squarely on Cena’s one-on-one send-off? Share your thoughts in the comments.
