John Cena's final WrestleMania opponent is reportedly almost a lock, new update emerges

John Cena's retirement from professional wrestling is certainly a landmark moment. WrestleMania 41 will be the last time he competes at the industry's biggest spectacle. However, his WWE Farewell Tour will continue until December.

For a few weeks now, the working plan for Cena's final WrestleMania in April 2025 has been reportedly a showdown with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, supposedly for the strap. This idea has gained more traction now. As per new information from Fightful Select, John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes could headline WrestleMania 41 in Paradise, Nevada, over Easter weekend in April. However, there is a scenario in which this plan could change.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is not currently going to be part of the show in a performance capacity. If he does factor into the plans in the coming weeks, the aforementioned title contest may not happen on the grand stage. The report states that the company is "at the mercy of his schedule," as has been noted in the past.

Apparently, before The American Nightmare's peck injury in mid-2022, there were plans for Cena vs. Rhodes to happen at WrestleMania 39. But then those plans changed, as he wound up headlining the show with Roman Reigns while the 47-year-old challenged Austin Theory for the United States Title at the event.

---

Where do John Cena and Cody Rhodes stand at this juncture?

WWE RAW officially moves to the Netflix streaming platform on January 6, 2025, a first for any wrestling show. John Cena is set to make an appearance on the first episode on Netflix, where his Farewell Tour will commence.

Meanwhile, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has a major hurdle to jump before getting to The Grandest Stage of Them All in April: a title defense against Kevin Owens. The Canadian Dream has gone out of his way to ensure The American Nightmare does not make it to WrestleMania 41 with the top prize of World Wrestling Entertainment. Will he finally put an end to Cody's reign one month from now?

The two are scheduled for a Ladder Match at Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.