The field is set to determine John Cena’s final opponent. WWE's “The Last Time Is Now” tournament has now been underway for one week — with four souls already eliminated — and another set of matches planned for this week's episodes of “Raw” and “SmackDown.”
Of the names still in Nick Aldis' lottery machine, who has the best chance of making it to Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13 to stand opposite Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event? Here's my verdict.
Joe Hendry (likelihood: 1 out of 5)
Given the news about him inking a full-time WWE contract, Joe Hendry is probably the most likely candidate when it comes to filling the last mystery slot in this tournament. Though his odds of actually winning the thing have to be tiny.
It’s true that Hendry has talked a big game in the past in terms of pursuing a match with Cena this year. I respect his hustle on that front, but surely it doesn't work like that?
Penta (likelihood: 1 out of 5)
Almost a year since his WWE return, the luchador superstar is firmly established as part of the “Raw” roster. For all his dazzling ring work, though, Penta hasn’t exactly been given much character development over the past year. We have no idea what his motivations are and why he'd even want to compete against someone like Cena.
Obviously his inclusion will bring some necessary panache to the matches themselves, particularly when he hits those high spots, but I’d eat my lucha mask if he ends up going all the way.
Carmelo Hayes (likelihood: 1 out of 5)
What would be the case for Carmelo Hayes winning this thing? On the face of it, there isn’t one. If we’re thinking outside the box, though, doesn’t the former NXT champion have something in common with a young Cena — the cocky upstart who marched up to Kurt Angle and demanded a chance to prove his worth?
Given what Hayes is capable of in the ring, it wouldn’t be impossible to make it work. Knowing WWE’s current booking, though, the much more likely outcome for Hayes being in this thing is for him to end up being screwed over by The Miz, thus providing some justification to keep that feud running for another few months.
Solo Sikoa (likelihood: 1 out of 5)
It’s been a middling year for Solo Sikoa, who's gone from being the self-appointed Tribal Chief to a man seemingly in search of a mission.
That said, the Samoan street-fighter has beaten Cena before (back at Crown Jewel 2023) and then clashed again with the great man on that fateful night at WrestleMania 40. Is a restoration of that feud completely out of the question? Well, no — but it would feel like one hell of a swerve.
Rusev (likelihood: 1 out of 5)
Like his old mucker Sheamus, Rusev has some history with John Cena. Back at WrestleMania 31, the two participated in a geopolitically charged match for the U.S. Title, in which Rusev — then still posing as a kayfabe Russian — made a memorable entrance in a Soviet-era T-55 tank.
Their feud may have impressed at the time, but it doesn’t exactly feel ripe for revival. My suspicion is that the Bulgarian bruiser has been inserted into the tournament in order to revive his ongoing rivalry with his former teammate Sheamus.
Finn Bálor (likelihood: 2 out of 5)
It’s been a largely forgettable year for Finn Bálor, who has to be a solid contender for the most criminally underused talent on the main roster. In fact, he hasn’t even appeared on a single WWE PLE since way back in the spring at WrestleMania 41.
Still, you can bet your bottom dollar that the former Universal Champion hasn’t suffered any ring rust. What’s more, a multi-match tournament could be the best way for the Judgment Day man to rebuild momentum with the fans, building to an epic showdown with Cena in December.
Need any more convincing? How about the fact that having Bálor win the Intercontinental Championship could finally provide the catalyst for him and Dominik Mysterio to have that big bust-up WWE has been teasing for well over a year now.
I still don't think it's likely, mind you, but I certainly wouldn't complain if it happened.
Je’Von Evans (likelihood: 2 out of 5)
We all know Cena likes to promote rising stars whereever possible. And if it’s young talent you’re looking for, they don’t come much fresher than Je’Von Evans — the 21-year-old prodigy who has already chalked up some hugely impressive feats during his time in NXT.
To state the obvious, getting a shot at Cena would be a monumental promotion for “The Young OG.” I don’t doubt that he’d rise to the occasion — just look at Evans' big match with Randy Orton — but I do wonder if his lower-profile presence would confuse casual fans who don't keep up with the WWE's development leagues…
Bronson Reed (likelihood: 2.5 out of 5)
From being paired up with Paul Heyman to getting a rare singles victory over Roman Reigns, it's been one hell of a year for Bronson Reed. And what better way to further that dizzying rise to the top than a one-on-one match against one of the greatest to ever do it?
Obviously, winning this tournament would be a massive addition to Reed's resumé. Yes, it would be a bold call, but it would also bring some massively enhanced heel energy to The Vision. Just imagine the reaction you'd get from the crowds if one of their number managed to put the GOAT down for the three-count.
Sheamus (likelihood: 2.5 out of 5)
Despite having some history with John Cena, the Irish veteran wasn’t exactly top of fans’ lists when it came to retirement tour opponents — which is slightly unfair, when you consider the quality of his ring work. Could this tourney be the opening that Sheamus needs to prove his main-event status once again?
The fact that Cena currently holds the Intercontinental Championship also adds an interesting twist, given it's the one prize that Sheamus still craves, not least as it would make him a Grand Slam champion. Getting that belt has to be in the tea leaves for Sheamus at some point, but would it make sense to pull the trigger right now? I’m not so sure.
Brock Lesnar (likelihood: 3 out of 5)
No, he hasn’t been named as being in the tournament just yet, but we all know there’s still one wildcard slot to be confirmed this Friday. Could that man be “The Beast Incarnate”?
Admittedly, the chances of Lesnar agreeing to work multiple shows ahead of SNME feel like a bit of an outside bet. But surely WWE has to do something to follow up on Lesnar and Cena’s Wrestlepalooza match, in which the former UFC champion scored a massively one-sided victory. To let Cena ride off into the sunset without addressing that situation would be a bit of an oversight on Triple H’s part.
LA Knight (likelihood: 3 out of 5)
It’s a frustrating job being an LA Knight fan, given WWE’s irritating habit of blowing hot and cold on him from one week to the next. Just look at how the past few weeks have unfolded for the self-proclaimed “Megastar,” who has long been a staple of the main-event scene on “Raw” only to be passed over for a world title match whenever it comes to the crunch.
Could WWE make good on its previous fumbles by elevating LA Knight into the biggest match of his career in December? Perhaps it’s foolish optimism on my part, but I’m reluctant to rule out the possibility. If nothing else, it would make a fine episode of “WWE Unreal”…
Jey Uso (likelihood: 3 out of 5)
The past few weeks have shown that WWE bosses have lost none of their enthusiasm for Jey Uso. Given the former World Heavyweight Champion has already won his first-round match in this tournament, we should probably take his chances pretty seriously.
An Uso vs. Cena showdown would also add some pleasing symmetry to the retirement tour, given these two were the final pairing in this year's Royal Rumble. Back then, “Main Event Jey” managed to shock the world — Cena included — by scoring the win. Can he repeat the feat 11 months later?
Gunther (likelihood: 4.5 out of 5)
If the rumors are true, then the Austrian heavyweight has to be way out in front here. There were credible reports of him being lined up to be Cena’s last opponent all the way back in August, and nothing that's occurred since then has suggested that isn't the plan.
The two men aren’t exactly blessed with shared history (they’ve never even been in the same match together), but the match would at least do justice to Gunther's big return. “The Ring General” has been absent since losing to CM Punk back at SummerSlam and needs something suitably seismic to remind everyone just what an unstoppable talent he really is.
Having Gunther beat Cena would ensure he goes straight back to the top of the WWE hierarchy — exactly where most people feel he belongs.
