Last night's WWE Raw delivered some raw intensity with the kickoff of The Last Time is Now Tournament, all geared toward crowning John Cena's opponent for what could be his very last match on December 13, 2025. Fans packed the arena, buzzing about the 16-man bracket that's got everyone talking—especially with Cena's retirement looming after a career spanning over two decades and 16 world titles.
In the opener, the Celtic Warrior Sheamus clashed hard against the Artist Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a brutal affair, with Nakamura's signature strikes landing early, but Sheamus powered through with his Brogue Kick at the 12-minute mark, securing a pinfall victory. This win catapults Sheamus into the quarterfinals, where he's now eyeing a shot at Cena's iconic farewell bout. Sheamus, who's been in WWE since 2006 and holds four world championships himself, looked sharper than ever post-injury layoff.
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Brute Rusev—fresh off his WWE return earlier this year—steamrolled his first-round opponent in under eight minutes, advancing with that familiar Rusev Crush. It's been a whirlwind for Rusev, formerly Miro in AEW, who just days ago shut down old rumors about refusing losses and confirmed his divorce from CJ Perry was no storyline gimmick. His comeback has injected fresh fire into the roster.
As the tournament heats up over the next month, with brackets filling fast and surprises lurking, one can't help but wonder if these veterans will finally etch their names into Cena's storied legacy—or if it'll all unravel in unexpected ways.
