John Cena Wants Fans to Forget Him, Latest WWE Rumors on Road Dogg, TNA and NXT Star's Future

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

John Cena Says He Wants WWE Fans to Forget Him

Despite being one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE history, John Cena isn't clinging to his past glory.

While speaking with Good Housekeeping, Cena was asked about how he wants his WWE legacy to be remembered, and he had an interesting response.

"My goal for my stay in the business is to leave it better than I found it—and my résumé is a byproduct of that," Cena said (h/t Derek Holloway of Ringside News). "I know none of us live forever. Nobody remembers anything. People forget about me. So, my hope for the future is that people forget about me."

After a legendary career that spanned over two decades and included a record 17 world championships, Cena stepped away from the ring for good at the end of 2025 following a yearlong retirement tour. It will be hard for fans to forget the unforgettable, but the 49-year-old clarified that he hopes to become a distant memory because someone else took his place.

"If [the new WWE] stars have enough gravity, have enough relevance, they should be the ones influencing the audience, the people, in the arena," Cena said. "That is my hope, amazingly—that people forget."

While his in-ring career has ended, Cena has remained involved with WWE throughout this year, including hosting WrestleMania 42 in April. He said that he plans to remain involved in the wrestling business in any capacity he can, including as a mentor to the next generation of stars.

"I'm always a fan first, and I'm finding new ways to become involved in the WWE, through fandom and through organizational purposes," he said. "I've been lucky enough to be a mentor, to continue to be a mentor. So, there's a lot of irons in the fire. As far as what the future holds for me in wrestling, it's my family. I'll never get away."

WWE Rumors on Road Dogg's Role with TNA

After ECW legend Tommy Dreamer stepped down as TNA's head of creative, another veteran of the wrestling business could be joining the team.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Brian "Road Dogg" James is in discussions with TNA officials, but his potential role with the company hasn't been determined.

"It was known that Brian James and TNA officials were talking, but nobody knew it was Dreamer's position he was going to take, only that he would be added to the team," Meltzer stated (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News).

It was previously reported that Hunter "Delirious" Johnston is expected to take over as TNA's lead creative voice to keep things in-house ahead of the Slammiversary pay-per-view event later this month. Road Dogg has been a veteran of WWE's creative team for years before stepping down a few months ago, so he could be added as a new voice to provide input.

Meltzer added that a source in WWE said the company is confident that Road Dogg would have a positive impact on TNA.

"One person in WWE noted to me that James was a 'very fundamentals style booker, which would do that product a lot of good. He's enthusiastic when he deals with talent, which is also a positive,'" Meltzer stated.

Rumors on WWE Future for NXT's Thea Hail

Former NXT Women's North American Champion Thea Hail has been absent from NXT TV for most of this year, but she could be in for a new role.

According to a report from False Finish (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), Hail is expected to make appearances on WWE EVOLVE in the near future.

Hail has made scattered television appearances while mostly working live shows throughout the year. She notably took part in the Women's Speed Title No. 1 Contender's Tournament, but she lost to Izzi Dame.

As another developmental brand, EVOLVE has provided a new home for Superstars who aren't heavily featured in NXT. Both brands have been able to send talent back and forth as WWE hones its next generation of wrestlers.

Hail is known as an energetic character who gives her all in the ring. At 22 years old, she already has significant experience from her time in Chase U, and she still has a lot of room to grow.

A stint in EVOLVE could be exactly what Hail needs to rejuvenate herself and find her next path toward stardom.