John Cena Set to Compete for the WWE Men’s Intercontinental Championship!

With his WWE career winding down to just a few matches, John Cena finally achieved Grand Slam Champion status after defeating Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship earlier this month. As “The Greatest of All Time” gears up for his final match at December’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, a tournament called “Last Time is Now” is underway to determine his opponent. Although he has a rematch with Mysterio set for Survivor Series: War Games, he has limited time to leave his mark during this title reign, and he is expected to defend his title in the final match of his career.

There’s much speculation about the fate of the title if Cena retires without losing it, especially since he has long expressed a desire to retire as WWE Champion. While it’s tempting to dwell on hypothetical outcomes, the reality is that numerous contenders could emerge to claim the title after Cena’s reign ends. Let’s examine potential candidates for who might take the Intercontinental Championship from him.

Cena’s final Survivor Series match will see him defend the Intercontinental Championship against Mysterio, the first opponent he defeated. Although Cena is willing to defend immediately, Mysterio expressed the need for preparation and pushed for a premium live event challenge instead. They did have a match that evening, where Cena teamed up with Sheamus and Rey Mysterio to defeat “Dirty Dom,” Finn Balor, and J.D. McDonagh, marking Cena’s last appearance on “Raw.” The scenario raises questions about the rematch’s outcome, as Mysterio’s earlier loss does not seem to bode well for him.

This match appears to have been set up for Mysterio to reclaim the title, especially if Cena secures a victory before retiring. Mysterio has held titles such as the Intercontinental and AAA Mega Championships and has credible challengers awaiting. While some may argue he’s the immediate contender for Cena’s title, there are others who might be better suited for this role.

Among the notable names in the Last Time is Now tournament are Jey Uso and Penta. However, the standout choice for Cena’s retirement match is Gunther, who has successfully embodied the larger-than-life persona associated with legends like Undertaker and Brock Lesnar. His fighting style transforms every match into a thrilling spectacle, evident from his remarkable win-loss record, which includes lengthy title reigns. Gunther is statistically a top contender to face Cena and would be a formidable opponent in that match.

Should he face Cena, having Gunther win the Intercontinental Championship again could be a compelling narrative. Many believe he has elevated the title’s prestige in his previous reign, and having him dethrone Cena at his retirement match would mark a significant milestone and solidify his position as a top heel in the company.