John Cena Tops Major WWE List 36 Days After Retirement

John Cena has retired from in-ring competition.

His retirement match took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 in Washington, DC, where he faced Gunther. The Ring General made him tap out in his last WWE match. Even though Cena has retired, he is still very much part of WWE because he signed a five-year brand ambassador contract with the company.

On January 18, 2026, WWE released a special edition of WWE Top 10 on its official YouTube channel featuring the 25 best Royal Rumble returns. John Cena topped the list with his 2008 return, which took place at Madison Square Garden.

What Makes John Cena’s 2008 Royal Rumble Return So Special?

In October 2007, John Cena severely injured his pectoral muscle during a match on WWE Raw. It was estimated that the injury would require 6–12 months of recovery, including surgery and rehabilitation.

At the time, he was WWE Champion, and everyone expected him to be out at least until WrestleMania 24 (March 2008), so he wasn’t even considered a contender for the 2008 Royal Rumble.

But when 29 Superstars had entered, the crowd suddenly heard his music, and Cena made his way to the ring as the No. 30 entrant, shocking the fans and the roster. The MSG crowd erupted in a massive pop.

He then went on to eliminate four superstars: Carlito, Mark Henry, Chavo Guerrero, and Triple H. He even won the match to earn a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV.

Make TJR Wrestling your choice for news by clicking here.