As his 2025 farewell tour continues, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has addressed the possibility of a third and final match against his greatest rival, The Rock. While Cena is currently on a collision course with Cody Rhodes for SummerSlam, he commented on the idea of stepping in the ring with “The Great One” one more time.
Speaking at a recent FAN EXPO Denver panel, Cena was asked about the potential dream match. He confirmed it is an idea he would be open to exploring.
One Final Match?
While Cena said a third match against The Rock “would be cool,” he explained his long-standing philosophy on choosing opponents. He stated that he has survived for 25 years in WWE by not setting expectations and instead focusing on the creative process of the story he is given.
“I don’t like to choose opponents because a lot of time that doesn’t work out,” Cena said. “What I like to do is get a plan and say ‘As the artist, can I be creative with the plan?’ I’ve earned enough trust that they’ll let me do some stupid stuff, I appreciate it.”
Cena concluded by calling on the fans to make their voices heard. He said that the audience has the power to “dictate the direction” of his final matches.
A Historic Rivalry
A third match between John Cena and The Rock would be the tie-breaker in one of the most successful rivalries in wrestling history.
Their first match at WrestleMania 28 was billed as “Once in a Lifetime” after a full year of build-up, with The Rock emerging victorious in his hometown of Miami. The following year, at WrestleMania 29, Cena defeated The Rock to capture the WWE Championship.
Their feud was defined by intensely personal promos that blurred the lines between reality and entertainment. A third match would also have a completely new dynamic, as Cena is now performing as a heel for the first time in his career after “selling his soul” to The Rock at Elimination Chamber earlier this year.
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Taking Accountability
During the panel, Cena also showed a moment of self-awareness regarding his own creative past. He explained that by focusing on the creative process, he can be held accountable for his failures, specifically referencing a famous and controversial storyline.
“You guys say I buried the Nexus, I’ve got to shoulder that cross forever,” Cena admitted, referring to the infamous SummerSlam 2010 main event.
For years, fans and critics have argued that Cena’s insistence on winning that match killed the momentum of the hottest angle in the company. His acknowledgment of that criticism shows his growth as a performer and his respect for the fans’ perspective.
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