John Cena made his final appearance on WWE SmackDown before wrapping up his retirement tour, which now has only seven dates remaining. The Last Real Champion delivered an emotional promo and went on to face Sami Zayn for the United States Championship in what turned out to be a classic encounter.
The match lasted nearly an hour and had fans believing Cena might capture the United States Title once again. However, just as victory seemed possible, Brock Lesnar made a shocking return, attacking everyone in the ring—including Cena—and costing him the chance to win the championship.
.@SamiZayn and @JohnCena and are doing whatever it takes! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cPvuERM9vy
— WWE (@WWE) September 6, 2025
Here are three reasons why John Cena did not walk away with the United States Championship on SmackDown:
#3. His clash with Brock Lesnar doesn’t need a title
After ambushing Cena on SmackDown, Brock Lesnar issued a challenge for a singles match at ESPN’s Wrestlepalooza 2025. Given their storied rivalry, a match between Cena and Lesnar already carries enormous hype on its own. Adding a championship to the mix isn’t necessary to make it a marquee showdown.
#2. A possible shot at the Intercontinental Championship on RAW
Cena has already enjoyed multiple reigns as United States Champion throughout his legendary career, so another run with the title would not have added much to his legacy. What makes more sense is the prospect of Cena going after Dominik Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship on RAW. The IC Title is the only major championship in WWE that Cena has never won, and capturing it would complete his resume.
#1. Elevating Sami Zayn as champion
Sami Zayn shocked the WWE Universe when he defeated Solo Sikoa to win the United States Championship before Clash in Paris. Putting him against Cena was a deliberate move to solidify his status as a credible champion. By surviving a grueling match with one of WWE’s all-time greats, Zayn gained significant momentum, proving that he belongs in the spotlight.
