As John Cena’s illustrious WWE career nears its conclusion in late 2025, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has voiced a compelling idea for Cena’s final match, one that could provide a memorable and symbolic sendoff for the 16-time world champion. Speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray expressed a strong preference for John Cena to defeat Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship in his farewell bout, highlighting the narrative significance and celebratory potential of such a match[1][2].
John Cena officially announced 2025 would mark the end of his wrestling career, and after multiple matches this year—including a high-profile clash with Logan Paul at WWE Clash in Paris—his final opponent has become a hot topic among wrestling insiders and fans alike. The recent return of Brock Lesnar, who attacked Cena at SummerSlam moments after Cena lost the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes, fueled speculation that Lesnar might face Cena in his retirement match or close to it. However, Bully Ray advises against this, stating on “Busted Open Radio” that he does not want to see another Cena-Lesnar encounter for the finale, citing the desire for fresh storytelling[4].
According to Bully Ray, the best farewell would come if Cena were to beat Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title, which would serve as a grand celebration of Cena’s legacy. Rollins, who currently holds the World Heavyweight Championship after cashing in Money In The Bank on CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025, is widely regarded by peers as one of the best performers of this generation—someone Cena publicly respects both inside and outside the ring[1][2]. Having Rollins as the final opponent would symbolize a passing of the torch between two eras, making the match highly meaningful.
Bully Ray also mentioned that The Rock would be the dream opponent for Cena’s final match to completely “close the loop,” but acknowledged the likelihood of The Rock’s involvement was quite low at this point, given his increased Hollywood commitments and limited WWE appearances[1].
Regarding the booking dynamic, Bully Ray outlined the storyline implications for Cena’s farewell, emphasizing that having Cena lose his last match to an unproven or “generic” wrestler like Bron Breakker, who was suggested by some to be a potential candidate, would diminish the emotional impact because fans simply expect Cena to win against such an opponent[3]. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar stands as a tougher rival who might plausibly defeat Cena, but Bully feels the Cena-Lesnar pairing is overused and should be reserved for a different chapter, if at all, in Cena’s final run[4].
Sources close to WWE creative suggest that after Cena’s upcoming Clash in Paris bout, plans are indeed moving toward a high-stakes match with Brock Lesnar at WrestlePalooza, but the ultimate closing match and storyline arc for Cena have yet to be fully finalized behind the scenes[1][3]. It’s also notable that Cena’s recent television appearances continue to embrace his “Last Real Champion” persona from his heel run, though this era has been met with mixed reviews from some critics and fans[3].
Insiders reveal that WWE’s creative team is carefully weighing the possibilities to ensure Cena’s departure is both respectful to his legendary career and impactful for the company’s future. A final match with Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship would not only honor Cena’s history but also boost Rollins even further, solidifying him as a top-tier star who can carry the company forward post-Cena[2].
To summarize Bully Ray’s vision for Cena’s final WWE match:
- Opponent: Seth Rollins, current World Heavyweight Champion
- Outcome: Cena wins the title in a celebratory finale
- Symbolism: Passing of the torch to a new generation; respect between two of the era’s top performers
- Rejected ideas: Another match against Brock Lesnar, losing to a generic young star like Bron Breakker
- Dream but unlikely option: Final match against The Rock[1][2][3][4]
As Cena’s final matches unfold in the coming months, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if WWE embraces Bully Ray’s suggestion or if other surprises await in the closing chapter of Cena’s in-ring career.
If you use any quotes from Bully Ray, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for coverage.