WWE holding internal talks as John Cena Classic edges toward December
WrestleVotes Radio reports WWE has held multiple creative meetings about the John Cena Classic, a fan-voted showcase announced at Backlash that may take place on December 12. Sources say Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles have been consulted as WWE looks to give the event a distinct presentation.
WWE is continuing behind-the-scenes planning for the John Cena Classic, the fan-voted showcase first announced at Backlash in May, with multiple creative meetings reportedly taking place as the company aims to give the project a fresh presentation.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, as reported by Fightful, those discussions have included contributors who do not normally work on this type of special. The report names Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles among figures who have been consulted; Michaels is noted for his NXT oversight while Styles is described as having a varied backstage role.
The John Cena Classic is described in the report as a series of matches pairing main-roster talent with NXT stars, with voting by fans intended to determine the event's winner. The fan-vote element has been a focus for Cena himself; the report says he has been concerned about preserving the integrity of the voting process.
A tentative date of December 12 has been linked to the event — the same day as Wrestlepalooza in Perth, Australia — but that date has not been officially confirmed by WWE. WrestleVotes Radio also reported the concept was originally pitched as a showcase and a "milestone program" for Club WWE, the subscription platform for which Cena serves as an ambassador. The report adds WWE is exploring streaming options beyond its own platforms, with Netflix and YouTube mentioned as possibilities.
The John Cena Classic could offer opportunities for NXT talent to be evaluated against main-roster opponents. WWE creative is reportedly mindful of ensuring the event does not disrupt ongoing Raw and SmackDown storylines.
More details could emerge in early November, ahead of Cena's scheduled return to Raw on November 2 and a planned NXT appearance alongside Cody Rhodes the following Wednesday. The company has previously run cross-brand showcases — last December's Saturday Night's Main Event featured matches such as Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi (no contest), Sol Ruca vs. Bayley, and AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je'Von Evans & Leon Slater — examples that illustrate how WWE might structure a mixed-roster special.
