After more than two decades of stunning career in WWE, 16-time WWE Champion John Cena who debuted WWE in 2002, made an announcement that shocked global fans. Appearing at the Money In The Bank event in Toronto, Cena officially announced his retirement from WWE in-ring competition while teasing his last run at the company.
John Cena Announced Retirement From WWE
John Cena at The Money in the Bank. Image Credit: WWE
John Cena who has forged his WWE legacy and wide fandom worldwide, has announced that he is retiring from WWE after his last match at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. However, before that, Cena will appear in the 2025 Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber and will witness the “historic” move of WWE RAW debuting on Netflix.
“Why am I here,” the 47-year-old said in the middle of the ring addressing fans. “Tonight I officially announce my retirement from the WWE,” the Superstar added. Fans were in shock and Cena could feel the mixed reaction from the audience as well. The legendary wrestler immediately hailed fans and the company calling WWE the “hottest ticket in town.” As the wrestler-turned Hollywood star announced hanging up his wrestling sneakers, a loud chant “Thank you, Cena” made him quite emotional.
Notably, Cena’s appearance was also different this time. The Former champion’s iconic towel trademark “My Time Is Now” catchphrase was changed to “The Last Time Is Now” while the graphics on his red T-shirt read, “John Cena Farewell Tour.”
Later, Cena attended the press conference thanking WWE for accepting his proposed plans. “I’ve always said to the audience that WWE is my home and I love it. Just because I physically feel I’m at my end, doesn’t mean I need to distance myself from something I love, my passion for the business.”
Cena further revealed that he still watches Money In The Bank, “I yell at the screen, yell at the guys for what they doing or what they could be doing but I still I feel I have some wisdom locked up here that could be of some value.” Adding on his retirement, he said, “I look forward to ending my participation in the ring in the best way that I possibly can and being the member of the WWE extended family for quite sometime to come.”
CM Punk And Tripple H Addressed John Cena’s Retirement
John Cena announced WWE retirement. Image Credit: WWE
Following Drew McIntyre’s brutal attack, CM Punk returned to the Money In The Bank event. In his appearance at the press conference, the Best In The World addressed Cena’s retirement. “I texted him right away and I said ‘Don’t leave before you say hi to me.’” Cena texted Punk back, “and he texted back, ha ha, have a good one tonight and I immediately took that as, ‘piss off, I’m leaving.’”
However, Punk understands Cena’s busy schedule, “I know he’s busy, he’s filming Peacemaker (season 2) so I figured he was leaving right away.” But, to his surprise, Punk ran into Cena, “I ran into him afterwards and I told him, I’ll be the guy who drags him out of retirement.”
Punk also stated what Cena means to his career as a professional wrestler. “Cena, I think to my career means a lot, I don’t think, there’s many people up in that rare air where if you talk about my career, I feel you have to talk about John and makes me feel proud that I think if you talk about John’s career you have to talk about me, you know? We’re married in that respect. So, um, I’m proud of him, he gets to get on his terms, that’s important. I’m looking forward to what he does and I told him that, you know? If it’s gonna be one more time, we gotta do at least one more time.”
Triple H also took the mic to address Cena’s retirement. “John’s contribution to the business, second to none,” Triple H said adding that John is at the top of legends or icons. “He had an unbelievable career, I’m incredibly proud of that seeing sort of from the beginning.”
The Game is excited to see how Cena’s 2025 unfolds while thanking him for his immense contribution to the company.
