John Cena’s Final Push: Can He Make The Intercontinental Title Meaningful in His Farewell?”
The news this morning from World Wrestling Entertainment is monumental for multiple reasons. According to multiple reports, including BodySlam.net, John Cena is set to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on tonight’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw from Boston, Cena’s hometown.
This strike is bold: Cena has never held the Intercontinental title, despite a legendary career, and with only a handful of appearances left before his retirement tour wraps up, the timing and implications are massive.
Here’s a breakdown: can this move work? What does it mean for Cena, Mysterio, and the belt itself? Let’s dig in.
Cena’s Farewell Tour Meets The Title That Eluded Him
John Cena’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early rise through the mid‑2000s to multiple world championships, he has defined a generation of WWE programming.
Now, in 2025, he is on a farewell tour, with only four scheduled appearances left, including tonight’s Raw, next week’s Raw at Madison Square Garden, the upcoming Survivor Series in San Diego, and his final match at the televised event on December 13.
The Intercontinental Championship is the one major singles title he hasn’t held. According to Newsweek, the Intercontinental Championship is the only title he has never won in his WWE career.
The fact that the match is happening in Boston, in his hometown, adds emotional weight, and the fact that the title shot was originally earmarked for Survivor Series but moved up to tonight’s Raw highlights the importance of the moment.
For Cena, winning the IC title now could serve several purposes. It would tick off a career milestone, electrify the hometown crowd, build meaningful momentum into his final PPV appearance, and potentially elevate the “Last Time Is Now” tournament that’s underway. It’s a narrative gold mine.
What It Means For Dominik Mysterio And The Intercontinental Title
On the other side, Dominik Mysterio has been the Intercontinental Champion since winning it at WrestleMania 41 in a fatal‑four‑way match against the likes of Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, and Penta. His run has been credible, and the idea of him defending against a legend like Cena elevates both the title and his standing.
From Mysterio’s perspective, this is a high‑stakes moment. If he loses, he hands Cena the belt in the final weeks of Cena’s career. If he retains, he underscores that the IC title is not just a consolation prize for veteran push‑ins, but a championship built to be defended by rising stars.
It also introduces potential ripple effects. His father, Rey Mysterio, is reportedly re‑entering the storyline, which could lay groundwork for a feud or hot tag into Survivor Series.
From the title’s viewpoint, this match is a statement. The IC title has at times been treated as a secondary belt or transitional piece. Pitting Cena, a superstar of his magnitude, against the reigning holder gives the belt heft.
Especially if Cena wins, the title gains prestige by having been held by one of WWE’s greatest. If Mysterio wins, the prestige boosts for the younger talent. Either outcome offers an opportunity.
Can Cena Do Justice To The Role Of Intercontinental Champion In Limited Time
Here’s where realism comes in. Cena has, at most, a handful of dates left. He must open tonight’s Raw, likely face Mysterio, and maybe win. Then build to Survivor Series and December 13. The question: Can a short reign matter? The answer is yes if it’s handled smartly.
His hometown setting in Boston provides emotion and crowd investment. The novelty of Cena never having held the IC title gives the win added historical significance. With the tournament underway to find his final opponent, a title win gives him a meaningful target in his closing chapter. Booking a credible opponent and giving them a strong match helps both men.
Challenges exist. With few TV and PPV appearances left, the title run must be efficient. Cena’s age, physical wear, and reduced schedule might limit the style and intensity of matches compared to earlier in his career.
There’s a risk of it feeling like a “retirement gift” rather than a meaningful championship run unless storytelling is sharp. If Cena drops the belt quickly without a strong legacy booster for Mysterio or someone else, the title could lose more than it gains.
If WWE books it correctly, the short-term title run is fine. Cena could win in Boston, cut a memorable promo, defend once or twice at Survivor Series, then drop it or build to his final match with or without the belt. The key will be storytelling, connecting it to his legacy, making the crowd believe it matters, and using the belt as more than a prop.
Final Take A Risk Worth Taking For All Parties
In the final analysis, this move is a calculated risk with great upside if handled well. For John Cena, it’s a chance to scratch “IC Champion” off his bucket list and wrap up his career with a memorable moment.
For Dominik Mysterio, it elevates him by sharing the ring with Cena under huge stakes and spotlight. For the Intercontinental Championship, it injects relevance and emotional resonance as the title that the legend finally captured or defended against.
If you’re a wrestling fan, especially one who respects legacy and narrative arcs, this is one of those “moment” episodes. The fact that it lands in Cena’s hometown, with his farewell tour ticking down, adds the kind of emotional overlay that makes wrestling pop culture at its finest.
Will Cena walk out with the belt tonight? There’s a very good chance he does, and if he does, the bigger story becomes whether he uses it wisely in his final stretch or whether it becomes a footnote.
If the latter happens, it risks feeling hollow. But at the moment, the ingredients are in place for something special. Tune into Raw tonight. If this match delivers, we may witness one of the most poignant title transitions in WWE history.
