John Cena may be officially retired, but fans hoping to see him resurface through a WWE Hall of Fame induction might need to be patient a little longer.
According to a recent report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, Cena is currently not listed internally for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Despite his legendary status and career-ending match against Gunther last year, there’s no indication that WWE is planning to induct him in the upcoming class.
Instead, the report suggests that Stephanie McMahon is penciled in as the headline inductee for 2026. Notably, her induction is said to include an “Immortal Moments” component, highlighting her long-running influence on WWE both on-screen and behind the scenes. If accurate, it would make her the centerpiece of the ceremony rather than a traditional in-ring legend.
Cena, meanwhile, has remained largely out of the WWE spotlight since his retirement. After completing a brief media run, his only public appearance tied to wrestling was at a FAN EXPO event in January. With WrestleMania season approaching, some fans speculated that WWE might use the Hall of Fame as a way to bring him back into the fold — but that doesn’t appear to be the case for now.
It’s also worth noting that leading into his final match with Gunther, Cena reportedly wasn’t eager to frame the bout as a career retrospective. That mindset could play a role in WWE holding off on honoring him just yet, allowing more time before fully celebrating his legacy.
There’s little doubt that John Cena will eventually take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame. The question now isn’t if, but when — and based on the latest backstage chatter, 2026 likely won’t be that moment.
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