WWE is heading to Walt Disney World! During Monday night’s episode of WWE Raw from Brooklyn, John Cena announced that the first John Cena Classic will take place on Monday, December 14, 2026, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
What Is the John Cena Classic?
Cena first announced the tournament back in May at WWE Backlash, and Monday night he finally revealed where and when it will happen. The one night tournament will bring together established WWE stars and up and coming talent from NXT, all competing for a brand new title: the John Cena Classic Championship. Cena showed off the championship on Raw, and its design is inspired by his famous spinner title belt.
In a fun twist, fans will get a say in the outcome. Voting will happen through Club WWE, WWE’s subscription service, though WWE hasn’t yet explained exactly how the votes will factor into the results.
Cody Rhodes Is the First Invitee
Cena revealed Cody Rhodes as the first wrestler invited to compete. Rhodes joined Cena in the ring after Cena apologized for previously questioning whether Rhodes could carry WWE. Cena plans to name more competitors in person over the coming weeks, with appearances lined up on Raw, NXT on Wednesday, November 4, and Survivor Series: WarGames later this month.
Two Raws in One Night
December 14 will be a busy night for WWE. While part of the roster is in Perth, Australia, for that night’s episode of Raw, the John Cena Classic will take place in Orlando, making it a night with two Raw broadcasts from opposite sides of the world. WWE hasn’t yet shared ticket prices or exactly how fans can watch, but it has opened a pre-registration page so fans can be notified about presale information.
A Big Get for Walt Disney World
Bringing WWE to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a natural fit, since WWE’s premium live events now stream on ESPN in the United States. It’s also a fun reason for wrestling fans to plan a December trip to Walt Disney World, right in the middle of the holiday season. While you’re in town, check out our Christmas at Walt Disney World 2026 guide.
You can read more about the announcement from Yahoo Sports. We’ll update this post when tickets and more competitors are announced.
Who do you want to see John Cena invite next? Let us know in the comments!
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