John Cena’s mysterious John Cena Classic is apparently a much bigger project than WWE initially let on. With Cena returning to Monday Night RAW on November 2, new backstage details reveal that WWE has spent months working on the concept, even bringing in Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles to help shape what the company has planned.
According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, the expectation backstage at RAW is that Cena’s upcoming appearance at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will finally answer the biggest questions surrounding the John Cena Classic, including where it will take place, when it will happen, and exactly how the whole thing is supposed to work.
“The assumption backstage at Monday Night Raw was that John Cena’s return to WWE TV on November 2nd in Brooklyn will be tied to the John Cena Classic, with the expectation being that we’ll finally get the announcement of where, when, and how.”
But WWE hasn’t exactly been sitting around waiting for Cena to explain everything. Since the project was first announced in May, the company has held an enormous number of meetings and creative discussions to figure out how to make the John Cena Classic stand out from everything else WWE currently produces. The goal has been to create something that feels genuinely different rather than another standard WWE tournament or special event. And to help make that happen, WWE apparently reached outside its usual creative circle.
“Since Cena first made the announcement in May, WrestleVotes on Fightful Select was told there have been an incredible number of meetings and creative discussions about the project, with the company wanting to ensure it looks and feels fresh.”
The update also revealed that WWE consulted some interesting names during the creative process, including Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles. Neither is typically involved in these kinds of projects, making their participation particularly noteworthy.
“We’re told various individuals who don’t typically weigh in on these types of projects were consulted, including NXT’s Shawn Michaels and A.J. Styles.”
There’s also been a potential change in how WWE plans to distribute the John Cena Classic. While the original pitch positioned it as a showcase and milestone program for Club WWE, the company is now considering a much bigger platform to make sure the event reaches as many people as possible.
“While the initial idea was pitched as a showcase and a milestone program for Club WWE, a source indicates that the event will likely be streamed elsewhere to allow for broader visibility and reach.”
That would be a significant shift from the original concept, although the update doesn’t identify which streaming platform WWE might use or whether a final decision has been made. The backstage details come after John Cena teased the announcement on Twitter, telling fans that the speculation surrounding the project will finally end when he returns to RAW on November 2.
“Make sure not to miss #WWERaw next week. SPECIAL START TIME OF 6PM EST! The wait is over, the speculation ends 11/2. Let’s build this ‘Never Seen’ CLASSIC! OUR time is NOW!”
Cena’s appearance will mark his first time on Monday Night RAW in nearly a year, and it’s becoming clear that WWE wants his return to serve as the official launching point for something the company has spent considerable time developing.
For now, WWE is still keeping the actual format of the John Cena Classic under wraps. But with months of creative meetings, input from Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles, and discussions about moving the event to a bigger streaming platform, this is shaping up to be more than a simple tribute to Cena’s career. Fans should finally get some answers when he shows up in Brooklyn.
What do you think WWE has planned for the John Cena Classic, and how much of an impact do you think Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles had on the project? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
