John Cena provided the WWE Universe with some details surrounding the first-ever John Cena Classic Tournament later this year. The 17-time champion disclosed that the tournament will take place on the December 14th edition of RAW.
WWE will air two episodes of RAW on December 14th, with the first show emanating from Australia following Wrestlepalooza. Cena announced Cody Rhodes as the first “invitee” for the tournament.
Thanks for the submission!
Rhodes faced Oba Femi during the Saturday Night’s Main Event that hosted Cena’s final match. The match ended after Drew McIntyre interfered. The theme of that edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event was the future.
Sol Ruca beat Bayley, while Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater fell to then World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee. With more on the line this year, several names from RAW, SmackDown, and NXT will likely be involved.
A veteran like IYO SKY could face an NXT star. Since the tournament will take place during an episode of RAW, there should be four or five matches. Here are predictions for the participants in the first-ever John Cena Classic Tournament this December.
#6. Mason Rook already has John Cena’s eye
John Cena tweeted about Mason Rook immediately after he made a shocking debut in NXT. Most fans had no clue about the big man, but Cena praised the Englishman right away.
While he’s currently out of action with an undisclosed injury, Rook competing in the tournament is a no-brainer. If Cena hadn’t endorsed the big man so soon, then he probably wouldn’t be a slam dunk for December 14.
Rook may not look the part, but looks can be deceiving. He can hit moonsaults and other high-flying maneuvers. It would be a shock if Mason Rook doesn’t get a spot in the John Cena Classic. Cena says he’s going to NXT, so expect someone to get the call this week.
#5. Shiloh Hill has ties to a WWE Legend
Shiloh Hill won the second season of WWE LFG. He was the Undertaker’s protege and is arguably the show’s most successful alumnus. Hill has transitioned seamlessly to NXT, giving the brand one of its most unique stars.
The former collegiate athlete has feuded with Tristan Angels, Naraku, and others. Since he has ties to The Deadman, Cena will probably ask the Phenom about his student.
Hill’s unhinged nature and frantic promo style are slightly reminiscent of Bray Wyatt. Shiloh also has ties to Tatum Paxley, so booking him in the John Cena Classic would make sense with the Undertaker’s endorsement.
#4. Jackson Drake is the North American Champion
It feels like Jackson Drake and the Vanity Project are one of the few success stories from the WWE ID program. Several independent wrestlers have come and gone from the program in the last two years.
Drake was the inaugural Evolve Champion. The Vanity Project moved to NXT earlier this year and immediately captured gold. Drake won the North American Championship while Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes won tag team gold.
The fact that Shawn Michaels prioritized the trio so soon after they moved up shows how they are seen backstage. Cena will probably give Drake the rub by including him in the tournament.
It would also be a way to showcase the youngsters in the Vanity Project. Myka Lockwood is also a student of the Undertaker, so she could easily have a moment to shine.
#3. Kali Armstrong & #2. Kendal Grey continue rising in WWE
NXT’s Women’s division is much more impressive than the men’s roster. The men are slowly building a credible division, but NXT’s women’s ranks have consistently been one of the most stacked rosters in wrestling.
Current NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan would probably have made sense last year. She wasn’t the champion and didn’t appear marked for a promotion. Jordan recently showed up on both RAW and SmackDown.
Since she’s likely to compete in the Royal Rumble, Cena should select other women. The two names that stand out due to how they’ve been booked are Kendal Grey and Kali Armstrong.
Both stars won the Evolve Women’s Title. Grey even shocked the world earlier this year by capturing the NXT Women’s Title from Lola Vice.
Armstrong jumped immediately into title contention upon joining NXT. Both women will get the call, and two of the five matches should feature women from WWE’s most stacked division.
#1. Zilla Fatu gets another opportunity
Zilla Fatu may not like being criticized for getting chances because of his last name, but that’s the case. Being part of the Bloodline makes it easier for some stars to get noticed by WWE.
He debuted only a few short months ago but has already been booked like one of NXT’s top stars. He single-handedly defeated Birthright at Halloween Havoc with an injured hand.
Zilla is presented as a bigger deal than most of the roster. Due to his ties to the Bloodline, he’ll get a spot in the John Cena Classic. Since WWE pushes that group over the rest of the roster, he’ll probably pick up a win over whoever he faces.
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Edited by Matthew Serocki
