Booker T shifts ROW event to honor John Cena's WWE retirement match on December 13

With John Cena’s WWE retirement match set for Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13, 2025 at Washington, DC's Capital One Arena, a move by a fellow WWE Hall of Famer transcends rivalries and promotions.

The move, revealed via a X (Twitter) post by Booker T earlier today, underscores the respect Cena commands across the industry as he prepares to hang up his boots after a 24-year career. The announcement also proves that some milestones are too monumental for division.

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has announced a rescheduling of his flagship Reality of Wrestling (ROW) event, SubZero, to ensure it doesn't overshadow John Cena's final match. “In honor of @JohnCena’s final match taking place December 13th on Saturday Night’s Main Event, we at @TheOfficialROW have made the decision to move our annual winter event, #SubZero, to December 20th,” Booker wrote in his X post. He further wrote in his post, “Some moments in this business are bigger than any one show and this is one of them. We want the entire wrestling world to come together to watch, reflect, and honor the greatest of all time as he takes his final bow. #ThankYouJohn.” The announcement was accompanied by a graphic of Cena's iconic “You Can't See Me”.

John Cena has made over 25 appearances this year marking his farewwll tour

John Cena's farewell has been building since his retirement revelation at Money in the Bank in July 2024, framing 2025 as his “Last Time Is Now” tour. The 48-year-old Massachusetts native, a record 17-time world champion, has made over 25 appearances this year, including marquee clashes at WrestleMania 41 against Cody Rhodes and SummerSlam against the same man.

Booker's deference isn't just logistical; it is reportedly said to be personal. Their paths have intertwined since the Ruthless Aggression era. Cena dethroned Booker for the United States Championship in a best-of-five series in 2005, culminating at No Mercy, where Cena's fire met Booker's veteran savvy head-on. They've shared locker rooms, battled in multi-man epics like Vengeance 2007, and even crossed paths in the 2006 King Booker saga.

As December approaches, the air buzzes with anticipation for John Cena’s retirement match. For ROW, the shift to December 20 can be said as seamless. SubZero, known for its stipulations and Texas-sized talent showcase, will now cap the holiday season with reportedly renewed vigor. With 16 WWE Championships, over 1,000 televised matches, and a knack for bridging generations, Cena's exit feels like the end of an era.