New details have emerged regarding the John Cena Classic, a new annual WWE tournament.
Cena announced the tournament at WWE Backlash: Tampa, describing it as “an entire evening of the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow.”
Cena also declared that a new championship belt would be introduced at the tournament’s inception.
“I’m so honored to announce to you the John Cena Classic. An entire evening of the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow. An entire event where WWE superstars and NXT superstars give you all that they have in hopes to be crowned a champion.”
“We are making history. We have a brand-new event and the debut of a brand-new championship in the WWE.”
WWE has been relatively mum on the tournament since Cena’s exciting announcement at Backlash.
Fightful previously reported that WWE was targeting the end of the year for the event, but that things were “subject to change.”
Now, False Finish reported that the inaugural John Cena Classic is scheduled for December 12. Poetically, this means the event will occur one day to one calendar year since the 17-time World Champion retired.
WWE Will Introduce New Championship Belt in 2026
GettyJohn Cena announced a new WWE tournament at Backlash 2026
The John Cena Classic will be a new experience for the WWE Universe.
Unlike the King of the Ring tournament, the John Cena Classic winner will be determined by fan voting.
Cena announced at Backlash that, theoretically, a wrestler could lose the match and still advance to the next round via the voting system.
“I have said time and time again, the biggest superstar in the WWE is the WWE Universe,” Cena said in May. “So, on top of a new championship and on top of a new event. For the first time in history, your voice will be heard louder than ever before. Because you, the audience, will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic.”
WWE has scarcely used fan voting in the past. Cyber Sunday, the lone WWE PLE driven by fan voting, has not had a new installment since 2008.
For the John Cena Classic, fans can look forward to being more involved in influencing match outcomes.
Plus, a new, dazzling belt design will be introduced at the inaugural event.
Will Spinner Belts Return at John Cena Classic?
HeavyJohn Cena debuted the first ever WWE spinner championship belt during the Ruthless Aggression era
So far, there have been no reports about the potential design of the John Cena Classic championship belt.
Over the years, daring belt design concepts have been cherished among wrestling fans.
The Hardcore Title, made famous by Mankind and Jeff Hardy, began as literal fragments of a smashed WWE Championship. Despite its crushed-up origins, the Hardcore Title became a badge of honor for wrestlers who bordered the extreme.
The Divas Championship, a butterfly-shaped Women’s Division championship that was retired at WrestleMania 32, also gained popularity for its novelty.
Of course, for the John Cena Classic, perhaps WWE has plans to introduce a spinner belt as an ode to the never-seen World Champion.
Cena popularized the WWE Championship spinner belt, a rotating piece of championship hardware that is still widely celebrated today.
WWE Will Introduce a New Championship Belt in December: Report