John Cena Pitched NXT vs. WWE Main Roster Crossover for Saturday Night’s Main Event

John Cena isn’t just preparing for his final match—he’s shaping the card too. According to F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez, the idea to include NXT vs. WWE main roster exhibition matches at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event taping was Cena’s own creation.

“NXT wrestlers getting matches on SNME was a John Cena call, he loved his time at the WWE Performance Center,” Alvarez reported.

The matches will take place on December 13, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., as part of the special Saturday Night’s Main Event taping where Cena will headline in his farewell match against the winner of the Last Time Is Now tournament.

Cena made the announcement during WWE Raw before defeating Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Championship in front of his hometown crowd in Boston—a first-time title win that filled a major gap in his storied career.

Behind the scenes, Cena has been spending serious time at the WWE Performance Center, reportedly making two separate trips last month to work with and learn from the NXT roster. He later praised the talent and their insights on social media.

“Being coachable can open our minds to learn,” Cena wrote. “Thank you to all the superstars at the WWE PC for sharing with me different perspectives of our business.”

“I spent the week digesting their feedback & was grateful to be able to return today for another chance to learn & share wisdom.”

With Cena’s retirement tour winding down, he’s proving that he’s not just exiting the ring—he’s giving back on the way out.

Do you think John Cena’s idea to showcase NXT talent on Saturday Night’s Main Event will help elevate the brand? Are you hyped for his final WWE match? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.