The Walt Disney Company and WWE are turning ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando into a two-day wrestling and entertainment hub this December, headlined by a tournament named for John Cena and an Avengers: Doomsday-themed supercard the following night. The takeover is set for Dec. 14-15, 2026, bringing together performers from Raw, SmackDown, NXT and AAA under one roof at Walt Disney World Resort.
According to The Walt Disney Company, the companies announced a special two-day takeover of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, on December 14-15. The first John Cena Classic, named for the 17-time world heavyweight wrestling champion and actor, kicks off the event on Dec. 14, as WSOC-TV reported, with Cena himself announcing the event during Raw this week, per the Hollywood Reporter.
Raw and SmackDown Stars Face Off Against NXT's Rising Talent
The John Cena Classic will feature WWE's biggest names across Raw and SmackDown against the brightest future Superstars from NXT, according to WWE Corporate. The two-day event will see stars from Raw, SmackDown and NXT competing for a special belt, with Club WWE members voting in real time for their favorite Superstar performance. The show is set to stream live on Netflix on Dec. 14 as a special edition of Monday Night Raw, per WWE Corporate's announcement.
Worlds Collide Gets an Avengers: Doomsday Makeover
The next night, Dec. 15, WWE will produce an Avengers: Doomsday-themed edition of Worlds Collide, featuring the biggest Superstars from WWE, NXT and AAA, according to the same WWE Corporate release. The timing lines up with Marvel Studios' blockbuster, which is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on Dec. 18, as noted by the Sports Business Journal.
Beyond the in-ring action, WWE and Fanatics will stage WWE World, a two-day immersive fan event, the corporate release states. The experience will provide fans access to exclusive merchandise, photographs and autograph opportunities with WWE stars. Avengers: Doomsday co-branded products, including title belts, will be sold at WWE World, WWEShop.com and select Disney retail stores.
Tickets Go on Sale This Month
Fans hoping to attend both nights will have a window to grab combo tickets. A general presale is scheduled to begin Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. ET, with two-day combo tickets for the John Cena Classic and the Avengers: Doomsday edition of Worlds Collide going on sale starting Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster.com, per the same WWE announcement.
The December takeover builds on a relationship between the companies that expands in 2026, when ESPN platforms become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of WWE Premium Live Events, WWE Corporate notes. The two companies now describe this expanded December event as a deepening of that partnership, bringing Disney's blockbuster movie machine and WWE's live-event spectacle together on the same Central Florida grounds.
