With his legendary career, countless championships, and massive fan following, it’s clear that John Cena will eventually earn his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. But for those hoping to see him take centre stage at WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas this year, there’s some disappointment ahead—Cena’s induction isn’t happening just yet.
John Cena’s Retirement and Hall of Fame Speculation
After wrapping up his emotional retirement tour, John Cena wrestled what could be his final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025. In a symbolic and emotional moment, Cena tapped out to Gunther’s sleeperhold. Many fans saw this as his official goodbye to the ring.
Naturally, there was buzz that Cena would be honoured during the WWE Hall of Fame 2026 Class, especially with WrestleMania taking place in Las Vegas. However, reports from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select have confirmed that John Cena is not expected to be inducted this year.
Stephanie McMahon to Headline WWE Hall of Fame 2026
While Cena’s name might not be on the list, the Hall of Fame ceremony will still have a powerful presence. Stephanie McMahon—former WWE CEO, Raw General Manager, and long-time on-screen and backstage contributor—is set to headline the 2026 class.
She was surprisingly informed of her induction during Wrestlepalooza back in September 2025. Sitting ringside before the main event between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, Stephanie was joined by none other than The Undertaker, who delivered the big news in a truly unforgettable moment during WWE’s first Premium Live Event aired on ESPN.
Stephanie will now join her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who was the headline inductee of last year’s Hall of Fame class.
Who Else Might Be Inducted in 2026?
Although the full 2026 class hasn’t been revealed yet, WWE usually begins to roll out more names during the build-up to WrestleMania. Here’s what we know so far:
| Inductee | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|
| Stephanie McMahon | Former CEO, Raw GM, major behind-the-scenes contributor |
| TBD | WWE teases an “Immortal Moment” induction again this year |
| TBD | Additional legends expected to be announced soon |
Last year’s class (2025) featured:
- Paul “Triple H” Levesque (Headliner)
- Michelle McCool
- Lex Luger
- The Natural Disasters (Tag Team)
- Kamala, Dory Funk Sr., and Ivan Koloff (Legacy Inductees)
- Immortal Moment Award: Bret Hart vs Stone Cold from WrestleMania 13
With that in mind, fans can expect a mix of legends, pioneers, and maybe even a few surprises to round out this year’s list.
Why Cena’s Not Getting Inducted… Yet
While the decision not to induct John Cena this year may come as a surprise to some, it could also be a strategic move by WWE. Cena is one of the biggest names in wrestling history, and the company might be holding off to give him a standalone spotlight at a future Hall of Fame ceremony—possibly even building an entire class around him.
John Cena isn’t just a multi-time champion; he’s a crossover icon, actor, and philanthropist. A proper send-off for Cena would likely include a major production, fanfare, and maybe even a final appearance to say goodbye on his own terms.
