John Cena’s Retirement Tour Gets Messier: WWE’s Petty Power Play Against AEW Could Backfire Spectacularly

Well, well, well. Just when you thought WWE couldn’t get more dramatic than their scripted storylines, they’re apparently plotting some real-life wrestling politics that would make even the most convoluted soap opera blush. According to recent reports, our beloved “Doctor of Thuganomics” John Cena is being used as a strategic pawn in WWE’s latest attempt to stick it to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). And honestly? It’s both fascinating and slightly cringe-worthy to watch unfold.

Cena’s Farewell Tour Takes an Unexpected Turn

Let’s be real here – Cena’s retirement tour has been nothing short of emotional warfare for longtime WWE fans. The man who carried the company on his shoulders for over a decade is finally hanging up his jean shorts (thank god), and every match feels like a piece of our wrestling childhood dying a little bit. But now WWE is reportedly planning to weaponize his farewell tour in the most WWE way possible.

According to Dave Meltzer’s report, WWE is cooking up an unnamed, unannounced September 20th event that will directly compete with AEW’s All Out 2025. The main event? A showdown between Cena and the Beast Incarnate himself, Brock Lesnar. Because nothing says “classy retirement send-off” quite like using it as ammunition in a corporate pissing contest, right?

The Brock Lesnar Factor: Why This Match Actually Makes Sense

Here’s where things get interesting, though. Despite the questionable timing and motivations, a Cena vs. Lesnar match during this retirement tour isn’t just corporate scheming – it’s actually brilliant storytelling. These two have history that goes way back, and their previous encounters have been nothing short of legendary.

Remember their brutal encounters from the mid-2010s? Lesnar absolutely demolished Cena at SummerSlam 2014 in what many consider one of the most shocking squash matches in WWE history. The visual of Cena getting ragdolled by the Beast was burned into every wrestling fan’s retina. A final chapter to their story during Cena’s farewell tour? That’s the kind of booking that could genuinely bring tears to your eyes – assuming WWE doesn’t find a way to screw it up.

But here’s the kicker: Meltzer also noted that this is exactly why Lesnar isn’t appearing at WWE’s Clash in Paris event. Instead, Logan Paul gets the honor of facing Cena in France. Yes, you read that correctly – Logan Paul, the YouTube-turned-boxer-turned-part-time-wrestler, is getting a marquee match with one of WWE’s greatest legends while they save Lesnar for their AEW counter-programming. The audacity is almost admirable.

WWE’s Strategic Gambit: Brilliant or Desperate?

Let’s call this what it is: WWE is feeling threatened enough by AEW to pull out their biggest guns. Using Cena and Lesnar – two of their most bankable stars – to directly compete with AEW’s pay-per-view is either a stroke of genius or a sign of desperation. Maybe both.

The timing couldn’t be more obvious if they tried. AEW All Out has historically been one of Tony Khan’s biggest events of the year, and WWE is essentially saying, “Oh, you think you can draw viewers on September 20th? Hold our beer.” It’s the kind of petty corporate maneuvering that would make Vince McMahon proud, assuming he’s not too busy counting his Saudi Arabia money to care.

But here’s what WWE might be overlooking: wrestling fans aren’t stupid. We can see exactly what they’re doing, and some of us might actually resent having Cena’s retirement tour turned into a weapon against the competition. This should be about celebrating one of the greatest careers in wrestling history, not about corporate one-upmanship.

The Logan Paul Problem: A Questionable Booking Decision

Speaking of questionable decisions, can we talk about Logan Paul getting a match with Cena at Clash in Paris? Don’t get me wrong – Paul has surprised everyone with his natural wrestling ability and commitment to the craft. The guy can actually work, which is more than we expected from a YouTuber who decided to try wrestling on for size.

But giving him a slot in Cena’s retirement tour while saving Lesnar for corporate warfare feels backward. Paul versus Cena should be the appetizer, not Lesnar versus Cena. It’s like serving dessert before the main course – technically possible, but it leaves you feeling unsatisfied and confused about the meal’s structure.

What This Means for Cena’s Legacy

Here’s where things get genuinely concerning for longtime Cena fans. The man has spent the better part of two decades being WWE’s ultimate company guy. He’s taken every burial, every questionable booking decision, every “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” chant with the professionalism of a true veteran. But now, in what should be his victory lap, he’s being used as a corporate tool once again.

Part of me wonders if Cena is genuinely okay with this, or if he’s just so programmed to say “yes” to WWE that he can’t help himself. The guy deserves to go out on his own terms, not as a pawn in Triple H’s chess match against Tony Khan.

The Bigger Picture: WWE vs. AEW Gets Personal

This whole situation perfectly encapsulates the current state of wrestling’s “war” between WWE and AEW. It’s not the bloodthirsty, anything-goes competition of the Monday Night Wars. Instead, it’s this weird, passive-aggressive corporate dance where both companies pretend they’re not obsessed with what the other is doing while simultaneously making decisions based entirely on what the other is doing.

The Fan’s Dilemma: Quality vs. Politics

As wrestling fans, we’re caught in the middle of this corporate nonsense. On one hand, Cena vs. Lesnar sounds absolutely phenomenal – a potential five-star match that could serve as the perfect capstone to both men’s incredible careers. On the other hand, the circumstances surrounding it leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Do we support what could be an incredible wrestling match, even though it’s being used as a weapon in a corporate war? Or do we take a stand against the politicization of Cena’s retirement tour? It’s the kind of moral wrestling dilemma that makes you long for the simpler days when the biggest controversy was whether or not someone was going to turn heel.

Final Thoughts: When Wrestling Gets Too Real

At the end of the day, John Cena deserves better than this. The man who gave us “You Can’t See Me,” who carried WWE through some of its most challenging years, who became a legitimate Hollywood star while never forgetting his wrestling roots – he deserves a retirement tour that’s about celebrating his legacy, not about corporate revenge fantasies.

But this is WWE we’re talking about, and subtlety has never been their strong suit. If they want to use Cena’s farewell as ammunition against AEW, that’s their prerogative. Just don’t expect wrestling fans to pretend we don’t see exactly what’s happening here.

Whether this strategy works remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: September 20th is going to be very interesting for wrestling fans, assuming we can stomach all the corporate politics long enough to enjoy what should be two fantastic wrestling shows happening on the same night.