US wrestling superstar and actor John Cena announced retirement from in-ring competition in 2025, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said in a post on social media platform X on July 7.
“John Cena announces retirement from in-ring competition, stating that WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas will be his last,” WWE said.
“Tonight, I am officially announcing my retirement from the WWE,” Cena said while cutting the most heartbreaking promo of his career. WWE Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque tweeted a small video clip of him and Cena hugging backstage with the caption ‘The Greatest of All Time’.
Cena began his wrestling career in 2001 and debuted in WWE in June 2002, quickly becoming one of the most decorated superstars in the company’s history. He was the face of WWE during the ‘Ruthless Aggression’ and PG eras.
Since 2018, Cena has taken a part-time role in WWE to focus on his film career, similar to his rival Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Despite this, he has made brief returns, including a recent appearance at WrestleMania 40, where he helped Cody Rhodes defeat Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship.
Cena’s retirement announcement was made on Monday Night Raw, which will soon move to Netflix. His retirement marks the end of an era in WWE, and fans will miss his presence in the ring. Cena has promised to give his best performances in his final matches, which fans eagerly anticipate.
The move of Monday Night Raw to Netflix signifies a new chapter for WWE, expected to bring new opportunities for the show. Cena’s legacy will continue to inspire future wrestlers, and fans will always remember his contributions to WWE.
Here’s a summary of his wrestling career:
Early Career: Cena began training to become a professional wrestler in 1999 at Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW). He signed with the WWF (now WWE) in 2001, starting in its developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
WWE Debut: Cena made his WWE television debut on June 27, 2002, on “SmackDown!” by answering an open challenge from Kurt Angle. He gained popularity with his “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona, rapping insults at opponents and fans.
Championship Reigns: Cena won his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 in 2005 by defeating John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL). He went on to win multiple world championships, becoming a 16-time world champion (13-time WWE Champion and 3-time World Heavyweight Champion), tying Ric Flair’s record.
Key Feuds: Cena has had numerous high-profile feuds with wrestlers such as Edge, Randy Orton, Triple H, Brock Lesnar, The Rock, and CM Punk. His matches with The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII and WrestleMania 29 were major events.
Legacy and Influence: Known for his catchphrases “Never Give Up” and “You Can’t See Me,” Cena has been one of WWE’s most popular and polarizing figures. His dedication to charity work, especially with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, has earned him widespread respect.
Part-Time Schedule: In recent years, Cena has transitioned to a part-time wrestling schedule due to his expanding career in Hollywood. He continues to make occasional appearances in WWE, adding to his already storied legacy.
