WWE Legend John Cena Explains MLB Rules on ABS Challenge System in Video Ahead of 2026 Season

For baseball fans in need of a refresher on the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System ahead of Opening Day 2026, John Cena has you covered.

The WWE star broke down MLB's new ABS in a video promo with Netflix, which will have games and All-Star Weekend events this year.

"For the first time, Major League Baseball is bringing automated balls and strikes to the regular season, for real," Cena said. "The umpire is still out there calling the game just like always. Listen, nobody appreciates a good performance more than me. But here's the thing about the human eye, even the best only catches so much. ABS changes all that. The truth is just there."

For the majority of pitches, the call will be decided by a human umpire, but if a batter, pitcher or catcher believes the call is wrong, they can challenge it. Each team will start with two challenges per game, though they are allowed to keep their challenge if it's successful.

ABS will be an adjustment for both umpires and players, but it should, in theory, be a net positive as it will eliminate plenty of controversial decisions.