Triple H Has Massive Tease Before John Cena’s Final WWE SmackDown

Written by Marc Middleton • Published Sep 05, 2025 17:52 EDT
WWE veterans John Cena and Triple H behind-the-scenes

WWE was quietly honored by an iconic partner today. Triple H has just revealed a special behind-the-scenes tribute, while hyping up what will be a massive stop on John Cena’s Farewell Tour for multiple reasons.

World Wrestling Entertainment began running the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, in August 1985. This was two years after the American Wrestling Association brought pro wrestling to the 22,000-capacity multi-purpose arena that opened in May 1980 as the Rosemont Horizon. Tonight’s post-Clash in Paris edition of SmackDown will be a special event as this will be John Cena’s final appearance on the blue brand, and his last outing in Chi-Town.

WCW, JCP, UFC, and Bellator have also held a handful of shows at the Allstate Arena, but WWE has dominated combat sports at the venue with non-televised live events, NXT, RAW, SmackDown, and premium live events, including the following: The Wrestling Classic 1985; part of WrestleMania II; WrestleMania 13 and 22; three editions of Survivor Series and Payback; two editions of Extreme Rules, Backlash, Money In the Bank, Judgment Day, and NXT TakeOver: Chicago; plus one edition of No Mercy, Night of Champions, and Hell In a Cell.

WWE will run its 181st event at the Allstate Arena in just a few hours. The company has remained loyal to the Allstate Arena while in the popular Chicago market, running only three events outside of the venue over the years, and Triple H has just revealed how local officials honored the Stamford-based company ahead of SmackDown.

Triple H Hypes WWE-Allstate Arena Partnership; John Cena’s Final SmackDown

John Cena is set to make his final WWE SmackDown appearance tonight, and his final stop in Chicago as an active Superstar. In what appears to be a significant SmackDown spoiler, sources revealed earlier how Cena is set for a huge match on tonight’s show.

Triple H took to X/Twitter today to reveal how Allstate Arena officials had put a spotlight on the relationship between the two companies with a large wall graphic backstage. The piece states, “BRINGING WRESTLING ACTION TO ROSEMONT FOR OVER 40 YEARS,” and features a graphic, with names like Steve Austin, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, The Rock, Charlotte Flair, Ric Flair, AJ Styles, Bryan Danielson, The Undertaker, Randy Savage, Tiffany Stratton, Beth Phoenix, hometown star CM Punk, and WWE’s Chief Content Officer himself, among others.

The Game recalled some of the WWE history at the Allstate Arena, and said they were ready to make more magic tonight.

40 years of @WWE history. Epic matches, jaw-dropping returns, and game-changing debuts. The @AllstateArena holds a special place in the heart of every Superstar who gets the chance to perform here. This place is magic…let’s make some more tonight. #Smackdown in Chicago will be 🔥🔥🔥,” Triple H wrote with the photo below.

The outgoing Cena and Triple H have shared the WWE ring at the Allstate Arena on two occasions. WrestleMania 22 in 2006 was headlined by Big Match John retaining the WWE Championship over The Game in 22 minutes. A night later, the five-minute main event of the post-WrestleMania RAW saw Triple H and Edge defeat Cena in a 2-on-1 Handicap match.