Cody Rhodes enters John Cena Classic

The John Cena Classic is scheduled for Monday, December 14 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown will compete against NXT talent throughout the night. Club WWE members will vote to crown the John Cena Classic Championship, with all participants eligible regardless of match outcomes.

Cody Rhodes has been named the first entrant in the tournament. John Cena made the announcement during an episode of Raw. This marks Rhodes' return to facing active NXT competitors.

Rhodes previously wrestled Oba Femi, who was NXT Champion at the time, last December at Cena's retirement event. Femi has since joined the Raw roster full time. A rematch between the two will not take place at the John Cena Classic.

Potential NXT opponents for Rhodes include the brand's champions. These are NXT Champion Grayson Waller, NXT North American Champion Jackson Drake, and NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes. Rhodes and Waller have faced each other multiple times on Raw and SmackDown in singles and tag team matches.

Baylor and Smokes are unlikely opponents as they compete as a tag team while Rhodes is seeking a singles match. Drake, at 23 years old, has nearly a decade of wrestling experience and has been with WWE since 2024. His character could provide a contrast to Rhodes.