John Cena, the 16-time world champion, makes a surprise announcement, revealing plans to retire from the ring after over two decades of unforgettable performances.
- July 7, 2024
AceShowbiz - After more than 23 years, John Cena is preparing to step into the ring for the last time. During a surprise appearance at Saturday's Money in the Bank in Toronto, Canada, the wrestling icon dropped some major news. The 16-time world champion wrestler announced he's retiring from the WWE following WrestleMania 2025.
Although Cena has been known to display a towel that reads "never give up" over the years, this time he came out with one that read, "The last time is now." Speaking to a stunned audience, Cena said, "Why am I here? Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from the WWE."
The farewell tour is set to be historic, with Cena confirming participation in various key events. He will remain active throughout 2024, culminating in appearances at the 2025 Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41. Cena emphasized, "This farewell, it does not end tonight. It is filled with opportunity. Everybody, Raw makes history next year when it moves to Netflix. I've never been a part of Raw on Netflix, that is history. That is a first, and I will be there."
During the post-show press conference, Cena confirmed he'll work "30 to 40 dates" all the way up through December 2025. His last televised match took place on the April 8 episode of Raw, surprising fans as a partner for The Awesome Truth against The Judgement Day in a six-man tag team match.
Addressing his future, Cena stated, "People say they're walking away, and two years later they come back. I want to set the record straight right now, I'm done. This is it."
Cena assured fans that while he will no longer compete, his relationship with the WWE is far from over. "If you ever wanted to be a part of this one last time, we're going to do it as big as we can and we're fighting everybody and we hope you come enjoy the fun," he added.
John Cena has left an indelible mark on both WWE and Hollywood. With standout roles in films like "The Suicide Squad" and HBO Max's "Peacemaker," his transition to acting has been seamless. Even as his in-ring appearances became rare post-2018, his influence remained unwavering.
In a heartfelt message to fans, Cena said, "Thank you so much for letting me play in the house that you built for so many years. Thank you so much always for your voice, because it's really loud, and your honesty because it's beautifully brutal. And most of all, thank you so much for allowing me to be with you here tonight to let the whole world know that we are planning something unforgettable."
As John Cena steps away from the ring, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, passion, and countless memorable moments, forever etched in the annals of WWE history.
