John Cena “Very Unlikely” To Face Legend During WWE Retirement Run

One John Cena dream match won’t be happening.

At Money In The Bank, John Cena shocked the world when he announced he would be retiring in 2025. While it was no surprise to fans that Cena was nearing the end of his career, many weren’t ready for such finality to be laid out in front of them.

Although details were initially thin on the ground, it was later revealed that Cena will be wrestling around 36 dates starting in early 2025 before hanging up his boots at the end of the year.

Since then, just about everyone has made a pitch to retire the veteran, or share the ring with him one more time. This included a challenge from Bron Breakker, where he told Cena to “grow some balls.”

No matter what happens, John Cena has said there’s no way he’ll get back in the ring when he does finally end his career.

John Cena Won’t Wrestle NJPW Legend

Away from WWE, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi has announced he’ll be retiring after Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th, 2026. The Ace has enjoyed a glittering career, earning a reputation as one of the biggest stars Japanese wrestling has ever seen.

As Tanahashi came to personify NJPW, Cena took on the same status in WWE as he dominated the main event scene as the heroes of the Attitude Era gradually faded away. So naturally, some fans have wondered if the pair could meet in a very special cross-promotional bout.

However, according to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, that won’t be happening. During a recent Q&A, Sapp noted that while nothing is impossible, a potential match is “very unlikely.” There aren’t plans for the companies to work together after talks in recent years didn’t go anywhere.