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John Cena shared a special announcement at Backlash 2026
For weeks, John Cena has teased a major announcement at WWE Backlash: Tampa.
Just before the event’s main event match, the 17-time World Champion delivered on his promise to share news that would “change the WWE experience for Superstars and fans.”
Cena announced on Saturday that a new annual WWE tournament, the John Cena Classic, will soon commence.
The John Cena Classic will be a showcase that includes rising NXT talent and current WWE stars.
“I’m so honored to announce to you the John Cena Classic. An entire evening of the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow. An entire event where WWE superstars and NXT superstars give you all that they have in hopes to be crowned a champion.”
Cena added that a brand-new WWE championship would be introduced for the event.
“We are making history. We have a brand-new event and the debut of a brand-new championship in the WWE.”
GettyJohn Cena announced a new WWE tournament at Backlash 2026
Unlike the King of the Ring tournament, the John Cena Classic winner will be determined by fan voting.
As Cena noted at Backlash, competitors could potentially lose their tournament match and still be voted as the John Cena Classic champion.
“I have said time and time again, the biggest superstar in the WWE is the WWE Universe,” Cena declared to the crowd. “So, on top of a new championship and on top of a new event. For the first time in history, your voice will be heard louder than ever before. Because you, the audience, will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic.”
Fan voting has scarcely been used throughout WWE history. Its last notable use was Cyber Sunday, a Ruthless Aggression-era PLE in which fans voted for various matchups.
GettyNXT standouts competed at WrestleMania 42
During the story mode for WWE 2k26, Triple H mentions an NXT Mutiny, as the next wave of stars prep to take the reigns from WWE veterans.
It appears that the process could occur in reality, and not just in the video game series.
NXT has become a breeding ground for WWE’s legends of tomorrow. Now, with the creation of the John Cena Classic, NXT talent will have another stage to prove their worth.
Former NXT standouts Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans have already secured wins over former World Champions (Brock Lesnar and The Miz) since being promoted to the WWE main roster less than a year ago.
With more NXT stars on the way, established stars aim to hold their position against rising WWE talent.
HeavyJohn Cena debuted the first ever WWE spinner championship belt during the Ruthless Aggression era
One of the most exciting aspects of John Cena’s announcement at Backlash is the introduction of a new WWE championship belt.
WWE has not added a new championship since 2023, when they debuted the new-look WWE Heavyweight Championship.
For the new John Cena Classic championship, it’s fair to wonder if WWE will design a spinner belt that Cena made famous.
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
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