Former WWE Champion calls out WWE for unfairly favoring John Cena says, 'He got a gift...'

After his loss at the Royal Rumble, John Cena wasted no time announcing his entry into the Elimination Chamber match set for March 1 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. However, Cena’s direct entry into the match raised concerns, particularly from CM Punk, who questioned the fairness of the decision, given that other competitors have to earn their spots.

WWE has been vocal about John Cena's return and how his retirement season shapes up

CM Punk Reacts to Cena’s Automatic Spot

Speaking on Good Guy/Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, CM Punk, who secured his place in the Chamber by defeating Sami Zayn on RAW, addressed the possibility of facing his longtime rival inside the steel structure.

“So I’m looking at the Chamber like, ‘Oh, Cena has a buy? Cena just gets to be in it?’ Okay, Mr. Budapest, I’m filming Matchbox Cars in Budapest. I’m gonna just disappear and I get a gift. I want to qualify for the Chamber so I could slap the sh** out of John Cena.

That might be my last opportunity to do so. Obviously, Mania is a big deal, and I’m not putting that on the back burner or anything like that. But he’s already in it and he got a gift? He got a buy? He’s in the Chamber because he’s John Cena? Well, I’m gonna qualify and I’m gonna come after him.”

Cena’s WWE Schedule Amid Filming Commitment

According to PWInsider, Cena has returned to Budapest, Hungary following the 2025 Royal Rumble. The 16-time world champion is not scheduled for another WWE appearance until the Elimination Chamber event on March 1.

Cena is currently filming the upcoming Matchbox movie, based on Mattel’s famous die-cast toy vehicle line. The movie, produced by Apple Original Films and Mattel Films, features Cena in a starring role.

Cena’s Retirement Tour and WWE Schedule

Filming commitments have limited Cena’s WWE TV appearances in 2025, with his only showings so far being the RAW Netflix premiere and the Royal Rumble. Cena is on his retirement tour, with plans to conclude his legendary in-ring career at the end of the year.

Despite his Hollywood obligations, Cena has stated that he will work around 36 dates for WWE in 2025. Following the Elimination Chamber, fans can expect him to be more active on WWE programming as he builds toward his final matches.

With both Cena and CM Punk confirmed for the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, their long-standing rivalry could take center stage once again in Toronto.