It finally happened. For years, we all joked about how "you can't see him," but after December 2025, that became a literal reality for WWE fans. John Cena is done. The jorts are in the rafters. The sneakers are officially retired.
Seeing John Cena retired WWE was always going to feel like the end of an era, but the way it went down was anything but predictable. If you expected a safe, corporate victory lap where he kissed babies and hugged every opponent, you probably weren't watching closely in 2025. It was chaotic, polarizing, and honestly, pretty weird at times.
The Long Goodbye: How We Got Here
It all kicked off back in July 2024 at Money in the Bank. Cena walked out in Toronto and dropped the bombshell: 2025 would be it. No more "one more match" teases. He committed to a 36-date farewell tour that spanned from the Netflix debut of Raw in January all the way to a final Saturday Night's Main Event in December.
He wasn't just there to wave. He wanted to work.
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People forget that Cena was basically a part-timer for nearly a decade before this. His body was beat up—he’s been open about that in shoot interviews—but he cleared his Hollywood schedule for a final 12-month sprint. He wanted to give the fans one last year of "Big Match John."
The Shocking Turn: Breaking the Internet at WrestleMania 41
The biggest story of the year wasn't just that he was leaving; it was how he spent his last months. For two decades, fans begged for a John Cena heel turn. We thought it would never happen. Then came WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.
Cena didn't just win his record-breaking 17th World Championship against Cody Rhodes; he cheated to do it.
He aligned himself with The Rock and even had Travis Scott involved in the chaos. He hit Cody with a low blow and a belt shot while the ref was down. It was brutal. It was uncomfortable. And for about four months, Cena played the "Hollywood Elite" villain, threatening to take the WWE title home and never bring it back.
A lot of people hated it. Some fans felt it tarnished the "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" brand. But honestly? It was the most talked-about Cena had been in years.
The 17th Title Reign
- Opponent: Cody Rhodes
- Event: WrestleMania 41 (April 20, 2025)
- Duration: 105 days
- Vibe: Pure villainy
The reign ended at SummerSlam in a Street Fight where Cody got his revenge. After the match, Cena flipped the switch back to being a "good guy" almost overnight. It felt a bit rushed—likely because his retirement date was looming—but the respect from the crowd never wavered.
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The Final Match: Facing the Ring General
When the news broke that Cena’s last opponent would be Gunther, the internet lost its mind. You couldn't pick two more different styles.
On December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII, the career officially ended. There was no fairytale ending. Cena didn't hit a flurry of Attitude Adjustments and win. Instead, he got chopped into oblivion by the Austrian brute.
He went out on his shield. He tapped out to Gunther, staring up at the lights as the referee called for the bell. It was the "passing of the torch" moment that many felt Cena owed the business. No ego, just a veteran helping the next generation on his way out the door.
Why 36 Dates?
A lot of fans complained that 36 dates weren't enough. They wanted him on every house show and every SmackDown. But you've gotta realize the guy is nearly 50.
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He was balancing this tour with reshoots for Peacemaker Season 2 and filming for Matchbox. His schedule was a logistical nightmare. Even during the build-up to some of the major PLEs, he was scurrying off to movie sets. He gave what he had left.
The Impact of John Cena Retired WWE
Now that the dust has settled, the locker room feels different. Cena was the last bridge to the "Ruthless Aggression" era.
He didn't just leave behind a pile of titles; he left a blueprint for how to transition from the ring to the boardroom (and the big screen). He’s already signed an extension to remain a WWE ambassador, so he isn't "gone" gone. You'll see him in a suit at the Hall of Fame in 2026, and he’ll probably show up to promote a movie or a charity event.
But as an active wrestler? That door is shut.
What You Should Do Now
If you're feeling the "Cena-sized" hole in your wrestling fandom, here's how to keep the legacy alive:
- Watch the "Last Time Is Now" Playlist: WWE Network (or Peacock) has a curated collection of every match from the 2025 tour. Watch the AJ Styles match from Crown Jewel—it’s basically a love letter to their rivalry.
- Follow the Ambassador Run: Keep an eye on WWE’s corporate announcements. Cena is expected to take a heavy role in the expansion of WWE’s NIL (Next In Line) program to help recruit college athletes.
- Check out the Filmography: If you miss the personality, Peacemaker is the closest you’ll get to the "Big Match John" energy nowadays.
John Cena retired from WWE on his own terms. Whether you loved the heel turn or hated the loss to Gunther, you can't deny the man gave everything to that ring until the very last second.