• Tonight’s SmackDown Got Destroyed By Saturday Night’s Main Event In Ticket Sales
According to WrestleTix, WWE has sold 5,108 tickets so far for tonight’s SmackDown, which will take place at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA. 1,009 tickets are still available.
This number is lower than what WWE usually draws these days. WWE has sold almost 19,000 tickets for tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Below is the card for tonight’s SmackDown:
– United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
– The Terror Twins (Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley) vs. Aleister Black and Zelina Vega
– Alexa Bliss vs. Lash Legend
– SmackDown celebrates John Cena’s career one night before his final match
• More Legends Returning For Saturday Night’s Main Event, Including 2 McMahons
According to PWInsider, Trish Stratus, Stephanie McMahon, and Linda McMahon will attend tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will call the action tomorrow night. Jesse Ventura, Stephanie, and Joe Tessitore will also be part of the broadcast team.
As of this writing, there are no signs of Vince McMahon and Donald Trump attending the event.
WWE released the moving graphic for John Cena vs. GUNTHER today:
CENA. GUNTHER.
ONE. FINAL. MATCH.
Don't miss John Cena's last match TOMORROW at #SNME, 8e/5p on @peacock! pic.twitter.com/s7hYu3eOlE
— WWE (@WWE) December 12, 2025
• 3 Legends Could Retire In WWE In 2026
The year 2026 could see up to three major wrestling legends retire from the ring, with Brock Lesnar reportedly joining AJ Styles in planning a farewell run with WWE.
Dave Meltzer shared that while nothing is fully decided, Lesnar’s name has come up in internal talks about long-term creative plans for 2026. The planning includes a retirement run for Lesnar and one for AJ Styles, and Meltzer noted that the working plans could also involve a retirement storyline for Chris Jericho, should he sign a deal with WWE. Jericho’s AEW contract is expected to expire at the end of 2025.
Meltzer clarified that of the three names, only AJ Styles has a locked-in retirement date, as he has repeatedly confirmed that 2026 will be his final year in wrestling.
The rumors about Lesnar’s retirement were recently strengthened after John Cena suggested Lesnar’s final match could take place in Minnesota. This fits because WWE has already announced that SummerSlam 2026 will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is Lesnar’s home state.
While the idea of Lesnar retiring at SummerSlam 2026 is not yet a final decision, the fact that WWE is discussing the farewell runs for Styles and Lesnar at the same time suggests the company is planning a major shift in its roster of top stars next year.
• The Rock vs. John Cena 3 At WrestleMania 42? WWE Just Gave The Rumor New Life
The biggest fan theory about John Cena’s future in wrestling has now been acknowledged publicly by the company itself through the official WWE website.
Cena’s year-long retirement tour is set to end tomorrow, where he insists his match against GUNTHER at Saturday Night’s Main Event will be his absolute last time wrestling. However, even Cena recently admitted that he has heard a “lot of chatter” about him appearing at WrestleMania 42 next April.
This long-running rumor was given new life when WWE.com published a column by Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. In his piece, Kaboly directly suggested that Cena’s retirement talk might be a setup. Kaboly playfully wrote under the title “What Would Be Shocking,” that The Rock could return to challenge Cena to a rubber match (since they are 1-1 against each other) at WrestleMania 42 to claim Cena’s “soul.”
While the comments are presented as Kaboly’s own idea and not an official WWE plan, the fact that WWE used its main website to stir this specific rumor is a major development.
The article is the first time the company has officially put the idea of the Cena vs. Rock trilogy at WrestleMania 42 into the public conversation.
• The Rock Has A Message For John Cena Ahead Of Cena’s Retirement
Hollywood’s Golden Globe nominations have brought a major milestone for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The WWE Legend has been nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role as MMA legend Mark Kerr in the gritty biographical film The Smashing Machine.
This marks a major achievement in his acting career, as he competes alongside acclaimed performers such as Oscar Isaac and Michael B. Jordan in one of the year’s most competitive acting categories.
What makes the news even more notable is that The Smashing Machine also received a second nomination thanks to Johnson’s co-star Emily Blunt, who earned a nod for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Kerr’s partner, Dawn Staples.
Together, their dual recognition reflects strong industry appreciation for the performances in the hard-hitting drama. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will take place on January 11, 2026.
John Cena posted a graphic about his former 2-time WrestleMania opponent’s achievement on Instagram. The Rock saw it and replied:
“Love ya man and as you know, always grateful for all you’ve done for the business we love. You are truly the GOAT. Bring your moonshine, I’ll bring the tequila”
WWE also promoted The Final Boss’ Golden Globe nomination on this week’s RAW.
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