Tonight marks a profoundly emotional chapter in WWE history as the legendary John Cena makes his final appearance on Monday Night Raw. This special episode, broadcasting from the iconic Madison Square Garden, serves as a pivotal moment in Cena's active retirement tour, which culminates this December.
An Emotional Farewell at a Legendary Venue
The choice of Madison Square Garden is deeply symbolic for Cena's farewell. This is the hallowed arena where he first captured a major singles championship, the United States Title, at WrestleMania XX in 2004. It was also the stage for one of his most shocking moments, his surprise return as the 30th entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble.
Coming off the back of completing his career Grand Slam just a week prior by defeating Dominik Mysterio, Cena's return to New York is set to be a bittersweet and historic event. The atmosphere promises to be electric as the reigning Intercontinental Champion bids farewell to the arena that launched his era-defining career.
Full Match Card and Tournament Action
Beyond Cena's farewell, tonight's Raw is packed with high-stakes action. The WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship is on the line as the champion, Becky Lynch, defends her title against the persistent challenger Maxxine Dupri. This is more than a simple title defence; it's a grudge match born from Dupri's multiple shock victories over 'The Man,' which have exposed a rare vulnerability in Lynch just months before Royal Rumble 2026.
The 'The Last Time is Now' tournament also continues with two first-round matches that could determine John Cena's final opponent in December. In one bout, the formidable Gunther makes his long-awaited return to face one of NXT's brightest talents, Je'Von Evans. The 'Young OG of NXT' gets his biggest career opportunity against the former World Heavyweight Champion.
Another tournament match is shrouded in mystery as the ruthless Solo Sikoa is scheduled to face an unknown opponent, designated only as 'X'. Speculation is running wild following Cena's promise that even names who 'don't even work' for WWE might appear, especially after Zack Ryder's shock return on SmackDown.
Updated Tournament Brackets and Surprise Explanation
The tournament brackets for 'The Last Time is Now' have taken clearer shape with several first-round matches now completed. The current list of entrants and quarter-finalists includes:
- First Round Entrants: Rusev, Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Je'Von Evans, Gunther, Solo Sikoa, Carmelo Hayes, Bronson Reed, Penta, Finn Balor, Zack Ryder, The Miz
- Quarter-Finalists: Rusev (defeated Damian Priest), Sheamus (defeated Shinsuke Nakamura), Jey Uso (defeated The Miz), LA Knight (defeated Zack Ryder)
Additionally, Nikki Bella is set to explain her shocking actions from last week when she brutally turned on her friend and current Women's World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer. The WWE Universe awaits her explanation, wondering if this was driven by jealousy or a direct statement of intent regarding the Women's World Championship.
How to Watch in the UK
For UK fans wanting to witness this historic episode live, WWE Monday Night Raw airs on Netflix from 1am GMT on Tuesday, November 18. On-demand repeats will be available shortly after the initial broadcast concludes.
