New York: With John Cena’s final RAW appearance complete, only two stops remain in his Never Seen 17 Farewell Tour — Survivor Series and Saturday Night’s Main Event. WWE has officially booked Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship in a rematch of their recent title clash.
While the story of Dom wanting revenge in his hometown makes sense, fans widely agree:
WWE had far better options than running back the same match.
With a stacked roster eager for marquee opportunities, several superstars would have offered more compelling, emotional, or meaningful final-chapter moments for Cena’s legendary career.
Here are five opponents who would have made far better sense than Dominik Mysterio for Survivor Series 2025.
- Sheamus — A Grand Slam Quest That Writes Itself
Sheamus is one of WWE’s most decorated athletes — yet the Intercontinental Championship remains the one title that has always slipped through his fingers. A showdown with John Cena for the gold would have been poetic.
Their rivalry dates back over a decade, including Sheamus’ shocking TLC 2009 victory where he put Cena through a table to win his first WWE Championship. Running it back in 2025, with Sheamus trying to complete the Grand Slam, would’ve added emotional weight and legacy-defining stakes.
The only roadblock?
Sheamus is currently advancing in the Last Time Is Now Tournament, making an IC title feud difficult to slot in.
Still, from a storytelling standpoint, it would have been perfect.
- Rey Mysterio — The Feel-Good Farewell Dream Match
Many fans feel Cena is simply fighting the wrong Mysterio.
Cena vs. Rey Mysterio is a match fans would cherish — two beloved legends, two global icons, and two of WWE’s most respected superstars sharing the ring during Cena’s farewell.
Rey doesn’t need the Intercontinental Championship, but Cena’s recent babyface-heavy farewell narrative has been a nostalgic tribute to pro wrestling’s golden moments. A final showdown with Rey in San Diego would have been emotional, memorable, and universally adored.
- Joe Hendry — A Viral Moment Waiting to Happen
WWE loves viral attraction, and few stars have caught fire like Joe Hendry.
From his Royal Rumble cameo to his shocking WrestleMania 41 appearance, Hendry has become a meme machine and social media magnet. Booking him as Cena’s surprise opponent would have lit the wrestling world on fire.
All WWE needed was:
Cena issues an open challenge → “Say His Name and He Appears” hits → arena explodes.
It would have been one of the most viral WWE moments of the year and a tremendous way to cement Hendry’s arrival on the main roster.
- Dolph Ziggler — Perfect Time to Revisit an Underrated Rivalry
Dolph Ziggler’s shocking return at Madison Square Garden revived fan nostalgia. Given the reaction he received, he arguably deserved a bigger spotlight than a first-round tournament bout.
Ziggler actually holds a major win over Cena from their 2012 TLC ladder match — a fact many forget. Their feud, filled with Cena’s ruthless comedic jabs and Ziggler’s breakout push, remains an underrated gem.
A fresh chapter in their rivalry, with both men now veterans, would’ve delivered emotion, athleticism, and unpredictability.
- Oba Femi — The Monster Who Could Have Retired John Cena
This option could have made history.
Cena has openly stated he wants to “leave something behind” and elevate new talent before he retires. Oba Femi, one of the most dominant forces in NXT history, fits the bill perfectly.
Imagine his main roster debut being:
Dethroning John Cena for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series.
This would:
Launch Oba Femi as a top-tier monster
Mirror iconic Survivor Series debuts (Shield, Angle, Gobbledy Go—okay maybe not that one)
Give Cena a meaningful, legacy-building final act
Send shockwaves through the WWE landscape
It would have been the ultimate passing-of-the-torch moment.
Final Thoughts
Dominik Mysterio may be Cena’s chosen opponent at Survivor Series 2025, but WWE had a wealth of stronger, more compelling options. Whether for nostalgia (Rey Mysterio), prestige (Sheamus), viral hype (Joe Hendry), unfinished business (Dolph Ziggler), or future stardom (Oba Femi), each of these superstars would have offered a more impactful moment for Cena’s farewell chapter.
