WWE legend John Cena explained his reasoning for selecting Cody Rhodes and Zilla Fatu as the initial participants for the WWE John Cena Classic, scheduled for December 14, 2026.
The event, officially announced on WWE RAW, will feature main roster stars competing against NXT talent, anchored by live interactive fan voting on Netflix.
Selecting Cody Rhodes as the Cornerstone Participant
Speaking with SI’s The Takedown, Cena highlighted Rhodes’ versatility and dedication to the industry as the driving force behind making him the first main roster invitee:
“I love Cody so much. I needed a first invitee who is a cornerstone, franchise player, and a global name. And also someone who just loves all the minutiae of the business. Someone who will sit at a corporate round table all day, and then go talk to our historians in the warehouse, and then go do media only to have an hour cage match where he gets his eye busted open at the end of the night.”
The Anoaʻi Family Legacy and Zilla Fatu’s Selection
Cena also discussed NXT entrant Zilla Fatu, framing the invitation around his long-standing ties and history with the Anoaʻi family:
“I’m kind of honorary, you know? Rikishi was such a mentor to me, and goodness, did I go through hell and back with Dwayne. I remember talking to Joe Anoaʻi [Roman Reigns] in FCW like, ‘Hey, man, you’re saying you’re this rich baller, and you’re coming out in an ill-fitting suit. Be you, be authentic, and say what you mean.’ Those are my earliest interactions with Joe, and then we’ve gone on to have such an incredible history together.”
Cena added how that respect extended to elevating Solo Sikoa in their previous singles encounter:
“It was my love of all of them that, when everybody was like, ‘Hey, we need somebody to put Solo [Sikoa] over,’ I’m jumping up and being like, ‘Give me the spike as many times as you can, then I’m not fighting back. Let’s get you a place at the table, because I see greatness in you as well.’”
The WWE John Cena Classic roster will continue to take shape as WWE announces further main roster and NXT talent ahead of the December 14 broadcast from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
RELATED: John Cena Unveils Format Changes and Interactive Voting for Inaugural WWE John Cena Classic
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