John Cena opens Raw in Boston and kicks off his final WWE battle

John Cena is coming home. Tonight, the TD Garden in Boston will host the WWE icon as he opens Monday Night Raw in what will be his third and antepenultimate appearance before stepping away from the ring in December 2025. The 17-time World Champion will address the WWE Universe in an episode filled with nostalgia, emotion, and competition, as reported by Firstsportz.

During the show, John Cena will introduce the tournament titled “The Last Time Is Now.” This single-elimination event will feature 16 participants and determine who earns the honor of facing Cena in his final match on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C. The veteran revealed that the competitors will be randomly selected, including talent from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT—and possibly even names from outside WWE. The promotional video teased appearances by Penta, Carmelo Hayes, Gunther, Rusev, Dominik Mysterio, and Bronson Reed, hinting at a tournament full of surprises.

Confirmed matchups

The first round kicks off tonight in Boston with two confirmed matches: Sheamus vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev vs. Damian Priest. The second wave of bouts will take place on November 14, featuring The Miz vs. Jey Uso and LA Knight against a mystery opponent. The tournament will not only decide John Cena’s final rival—it will also serve as a tribute to his 23-year legacy in WWE.

Tomorrow night @tdgarden will be a very special stop on the Farewell Tour. Looking forward to an incredible night in Boston with my @WWE family! Tomorrow night LIVE on @netflix!

— John Cena (@JohnCena) November 9, 2025

On social media, John Cena shared a heartfelt message: “Tomorrow night, the TD Garden will be a very special stop on the farewell tour. I’m looking forward to an incredible night in Boston with my WWE family!”

Looking back

The episode will also revisit key moments from the past. Sheamus recalled his first world title win, which came in 2009 when he defeated John Cena at TLC. In a recent Raw Recap, the Irish wrestler described that moment as “a dream come true.” He emphasized that his goal was always to stand out—not just be another name on the roster. His intensity, unique look, and passion for wrestling have kept him relevant, and now he might close the loop by facing Cena once again in his farewell.

Sheamus comments on potentially being John Cena’s final opponent after being confirmed for the Last Time Is Now tournament:

“I think it’s very meaningful. Obviously you go back to 2009, we had that match at TLC when I shocked the world and became one of the fastest ever WWE… pic.twitter.com/pgtubR72Y8

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) November 4, 2025

With each appearance, John Cena bids farewell to an era. And Boston, the city where it all began, will be the launchpad for a goodbye that promises to be as legendary as his career.