John Cena will retire at WrestleMania 41 in 2025. (Credit: WWE/Getty Images)
John Cena made a surprise return at WWE Money in the Bank 2024 and had a shocking announcement, too. The 16-time world champion showed up in Toronto to reveal that he will retire at next year’s WrestleMania 41 event in Las Vegas.
After Sami Zayn defeated Bron Breakker to retain the Intercontinental Championship, WWE Hall of Famer and Money in the Bank host Trish Stratus appeared on-stage to reveal a special guest. Cena, one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling history, entered the Scotiabank Arena to a thunderous ovation only to drop an unexpected bombshell.
In a heartfelt speech, Cena thanked the fans in Toronto and informed the WWE crowd that next year’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber events—the final two stops on the road to WrestleMania—would be his last. So, too, will WrestleMania 41, the two-night extravagana which will take place in Allegiant Stadium.
Although Cena’s shocking announcement came out of nowhere, perhaps it shouldn’t have.
In numerous recent interviews, Cena had hinted at retiring in the near future. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show (h/t Talk Sport) earlier this year, the 47-year old wrestler and actor said that he didn’t plan on wrestling past the age of 50. He doubled down on that while appearing on TODAY, saying, “I’ll never be away from the WWE family. But as far as in-ring and falling down…the clock is limited on that one.”
Little did WWE fans know just how limited time Cena’s would be.
Mere minutes after Breakker lost to Zayn in a shocking upset that had Zayn’s Canadian fans riding high, Cena’s surprising announcement brought fans back to reality. Arguably the greatest all-around performer to ever grace a WWE ring, Cena last appeared for WWE back in April on the Raw after WrestleMania 40, teaming with The Miz and R-Truth to defeat The Judgment Day.
Just one night before, Cena made a surprise run-in during the epic WrestleMania 40 main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. His last singles match took place last November when he was destroyed by The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa in a lopsided match that, perhaps not ironically, clearly hinted at Cena’s impending retirement.
Now, 22 years after his WWE debut in 2002, Cena has let it be know that the clock is ticking, hinting at having just three remaining matches, with a Royal Rumble appearance and a final match at WrestleMania 41 as the cherry on top of what has been a remarkable career.
Although it remains to be seen exactly how what’s left of Cena’s legendary career will play out, rest assured that it will be a major moment for WWE and all of pro wrestling when the man who has been synonymous with WWE for two-plus decades calls it quits next year.
Shortly after Cena’s retirement announcement shook the fans inside the Scotiabank center, WWE CCO Triple H took to Twitter to call Cena “The Greatest of All Time:”
A former Royal Rumble winner, WrestleMania main eventers, United States Champion and world champion, Cena certainly has the accolades that warrant such a title for the man who famously said, “You can’t see me.”
And by this time next year, wrestling fans indeed will have seen the “GOAT
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