He’s actually doing it. After years of "will he, won't he" and those cryptic Instagram posts that drive the internet insane, the era of John Cena WWE Raw matches is officially hitting the home stretch.
It feels weird, right? For two decades, Cena was the sun the WWE galaxy orbited around. Love him or hate him—and man, did people love to spend three hours on a Monday night screaming that he couldn't wrestle—he was the constant. Now, as we stare down his 2025 retirement tour, the reality is finally sinking in for the fans in the cheap seats and the executives in the boardroom. This isn't just another part-time comeback to promote a movie about a talking car or a superhero with a toilet-seat helmet.
This is the end.
The Monday Night Raw DNA of John Cena
When you think about the greatest John Cena WWE Raw moments, your mind probably goes to that 2005 draft lottery. Remember the orange jersey? The Christian/Tomko segments? The explosion of noise when Jericho realized he had to share a locker room with the Doctor of Thuganomics?
That was the spark.
Raw became Cena’s house, even when the fans tried to evict him. He wasn't just a wrestler; he was the guy who had to follow the Attitude Era. Talk about a thankless job. He had to take the baton from Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock and somehow keep the ratings steady while the product shifted to a PG rating. People forget how much heavy lifting he did during those three-hour marathons on USA Network.
The Open Challenge Era
If we're being honest, the best wrestling Cena ever did on Monday nights happened during the US Title Open Challenge in 2015. Every week, we’d sit there wondering who would come through the curtain.
- Kevin Owens debuted and leveled him.
- Sami Zayn showed up with a busted shoulder and nearly stole the show.
- Cesaro put on technical clinics that felt like they belonged in a Japanese dojo, not a soap opera ring.
- Neville (now PAC) almost won the big one with a Red Arrow that had the crowd gasping.
It changed the narrative. Suddenly, the "Cena Sucks" chants felt more like a tradition than a genuine critique. The guy was outworking everyone on the roster, and he was doing it on free TV, not just on pay-per-view. He used John Cena WWE Raw segments to validate the indy darlings that the hardcore fans loved. He was the gatekeeper, but instead of locking the door, he was handing out keys.
Why the 2025 Move to Netflix Changes Everything
Here is the kicker. WWE is moving to Netflix in 2025. This is the biggest shift in wrestling history since Vince McMahon bought WCW, and who is the face of that transition?
📖 Related: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
John Cena.
The 2025 retirement tour is timed perfectly with the Raw move. It's a brilliant business play. Netflix needs a "hook" to transition the casual viewers who haven't watched a full episode of wrestling since the Obama administration. Cena is that hook. He is the bridge between the cable TV era and the streaming future.
Expect to see him on John Cena WWE Raw episodes throughout the entire calendar year. He’s already confirmed he won't just be doing the big shows like WrestleMania or SummerSlam. He wants the house shows. He wants the Monday nights in Des Moines and the cold Tuesdays in Toronto.
The Physical Toll
Let's get real for a second. Cena is in his late 40s. He’s admitted his body feels different. He doesn't move like the guy who FU’d Big Show and Edge at the same time anymore. His hair is thinning, his joints creak, and he’s one bad landing away from a permanent Hollywood career.
But that’s the draw.
The drama of a John Cena WWE Raw match in 2025 isn't about whether he’ll hit a 619 or a 450 splash. It’s about the struggle. It’s about seeing a legend try to keep up with guys like Bron Breakker or Gunther who are faster, stronger, and younger. It’s the "Old Man Logan" version of pro wrestling.
Addressing the "17th Championship" Rumor
The elephant in the room is Ric Flair’s record. Both are currently tied at 16 world titles (well, according to WWE’s specific math, anyway).
Does Cena win the big one on a random episode of John Cena WWE Raw? Probably not. That’s a stadium moment. But the path to that 17th title will be paved on Monday nights. Every promo he cuts, every "Fine speech" he gives while rubbing his bald spot, is building toward that record-breaking win.
👉 See also: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Some fans hate the idea. They think the record should stay with Flair or go to someone like Randy Orton. But think about the optics. Cena winning #17 on the first-ever Netflix Raw? That’s the kind of PR gold that TKO Group Holdings dreams about. It’s the ultimate "where were you" moment.
The Give-Back Factor
Cena isn't just here to win, though. He’s here to lose.
Look at what he did for Austin Theory (even if it didn't quite "take") or Solo Sikoa. Cena knows his job on John Cena WWE Raw is to rub some of that "Big Match John" stardust onto the next generation. If he leaves without making three or four new stars, he’ll consider the tour a failure.
He’s looking for the next guy who can carry the company for twenty years. Is it Carmelo Hayes? Is it Darby Allin if he ever jumps ship? (Unlikely, but hey, never say never in this business). Cena is the ultimate scout.
What Most People Get Wrong About Cena's "Part-Time" Status
Critics love to scream "part-timer" whenever Cena’s music hits. They act like he’s just showing up for a paycheck between filming Peacemaker seasons.
Honestly? That’s garbage.
When Cena commits to a John Cena WWE Raw run, he’s all in. He does the media. He does the Make-A-Wish visits—over 650 of them, by the way, which is a world record that probably won't be broken in our lifetime. He stays late to talk to the younger talent.
The "part-time" label ignores the fact that Cena’s presence increases the value of everyone else on the screen. When you're in a segment with him, more people are watching. Period.
✨ Don't miss: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
Preparing for the Final Raw
Imagine the final John Cena WWE Raw appearance. December 2025. The air is going to be heavy.
There won't be any "Cena Sucks" chants that night. It’ll be a "Thank You, Cena" atmosphere, even from the guys in the front row who spent the last two decades wearing "I Hate John Cena" shirts.
It’s the end of an era. Not just for him, but for us. We grew up with this guy. We went from kids cheering him, to teenagers irony-hating him, to adults respecting him. He’s been the one constant in a business that changes its mind every six seconds.
How to Follow the Farewell Tour
If you want to catch the last of the John Cena WWE Raw magic, you need to be proactive.
- Watch the Netflix Transition: The January 2025 debut is going to be massive. Expect Cena to be the centerpiece of that first broadcast.
- Follow the Schedule: Unlike previous years, Cena has promised a heavy schedule. He isn't hiding. Check the local listings for Raw tapings in your area; this is your last chance to see the "You Can't See Me" gesture in person.
- Ignore the Spoilers: Part of the fun of Cena’s Raw runs is the surprise. Try to stay off the "dirt sheets" for a few hours on Monday afternoons.
- Appreciate the Nuance: Watch his promos closely. He’s doing some of the best character work of his career right now, leaning into the vulnerability of being an aging athlete.
The reality of John Cena WWE Raw is that we’re lucky to have him back for one more year. Most legends go out with a whimper or a sad match in a half-empty high school gym. Cena is going out on his own terms, in the prime of his secondary career, on the biggest stage possible.
Take it in. Because once the Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect era is over, there will never be another one like it. The neon colors will fade, the trumpets will stop playing, and Monday night will feel just a little bit quieter.
Whatever happens in 2025, whether he wins the 17th title or goes out on his back to a newcomer, the impact of John Cena on Monday Night Raw is permanent. You don't have to love him. You just have to acknowledge that he was the one who stayed when everyone else left.
That’s why he’s the Greatest of All Time. Or at least, the greatest we’ve ever seen on a Monday night.
Practical Steps for Fans:
- Update your streaming apps: Ensure your Netflix subscription is active before the January 2025 Raw move.
- Set Google Alerts: Use keywords like "John Cena Raw Schedule" to get notified of his specific arena appearances.
- Revisit the Classics: Go back to the WWE Network (or Peacock) and watch the 2015 US Title Open Challenges to understand why his current "aging veteran" arc carries so much weight.