Overview
- The WWE legend announced the annual John Cena Classic during Backlash on Saturday in Tampa, setting up NXT vs. main-roster matchups.
- Fans will vote to crown the event’s champion, and a wrestler could lose a match yet still win the title by earning the audience’s support.
- The Classic introduces a new WWE championship created for this showcase, with participants required to qualify for the field.
- Cena remains retired from in-ring competition but said he will be closely involved with the event in a promotional role.
- WWE has used fan votes before with Cyber Sunday, but this format makes a permanent title audience-chosen, which could boost rising NXT talent and reveal which main-roster acts truly connect.