UPDATE: Since this story was published, Cody Rhodes has confirmed on X that John Cena will be his guest on Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, on Thursday Dec. 18. The original story has been updated.
Cody Rhodes teased something big about the recently retired John Cena, then made a huge announcement hours later.
Wednesday on X, Rhodes shared a photo of Cena’s shoes, arm and wristbands left in the ring after his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Later in the afternoon, Rhodes followed up with a second post, confirming that Cena would be his guest on his podcast this Thursday, writing, “For the FIRST TIME since retiring from the ring… John Cena joins us on What Do You Wanna Talk About?.”
Thursday’s show marks Cena’s first public comments since tapping out to Gunther last weekend.
Cena’s appearance on Rhodes’ podcast comes following a dig by Drew McIntyre, Rhodes’ on-screen rival, after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
At the end of the show, after Cena said his final goodbyes, the WWE superstars who came out to celebrate him left ringside one by one. Rhodes, who has long admired Cena and faced him in high-profile matches during his farewell tour, was the last to leave ringside. He stood staring at Cena’s gear lying in the ring with a tear in his eye.
Interviewer Jackie Redmond caught up with Rhodes for comments in what fans were told was an unscripted moment. Upon seeing it, McIntyre thought otherwise.
As WWE uploaded footage of an emotional Rhodes on social media, McIntyre requoted the clip, adding a sarcastic caption: “Is there a camera rolling? Yeah? Okay just stay on me here.”
The implication is clear: McIntyre is calling Rhodes a fraud. While this works for their storyline, it also fuels critics who say Rhodes’ character is too polished and overly rehearsed.
McIntyre’s observation — kayfabe or not — becomes even more interesting in light of Rhodes’ recent podcast comments.
Speaking with actor Timothée Chalamet, Rhodes discussed how real pro wrestling can be and pointed to Unreal, WWE’s Netflix docuseries, as a key example. He explained that the show allows him to put a “work under the work,” using a reality-based setting to subtly advance what fans eventually see on screen.
Viewed through that lens, it’s at least plausible that Rhodes’ emotional moment at Saturday Night’s Main Event was as much performance as it was genuine feeling.
Regardless, fans will undoubtedly tune in — eager to hear Cena’s thoughts on his failed heel turn in 2025 and why he chose to give up in his final match after years of preaching to fans to never quit.
Still, if McIntyre’s implication holds even a kernel of truth, the conversation should be taken with a grain of salt. What seems like a friendly chat could be a carefully staged PR showcase — orchestrated and pre-planned, much like any wrestling match.