Why WWE Legends Thought John Cena’s Retirement Was Amazing
Two WWE legends who know John Cena well had good things to say about the GOAT’s retirement tour.
The pro wrestling world continues to react to John Cena’s WWE in-ring retirement. The future Hall of Famer, Cena, tapped out to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th.
There are mixed opinions about the match’s finish: Many people wanted John Cena to win, while others understood that losing on the way out would elevate Gunther. However, some people didn’t like that the “Never Give Up” guy, Cena, lost by literally giving up to the Sleeper hold.
When WWE fans think about WWE in 2025, John Cena’s retirement tour will likely be one of the first things that comes to mind.
Matt & Jeff Hardy are the TNA Tag Team Champions who also held the WWE NXT Tag Team Titles this year. Like Cena, they are future WWE Hall of Famers, and they wrestled Cena many times over the last two decades.
While speaking to Muscle Man Malcolm, Matt Hardy reflected on his history with Cena, adding that he was happy Cena retired his way.
“I was happy that John got to go out on his own terms. I liked John. I worked with him very early on his career, show him the road.
We had a blast when I was doing Matt Hardy Version 1, the Sensei of Mattitude, he was the Doctor of Thuganomics and we had a good time. We traveled together a little bit. I’m really happy for him.
He really is a GOAT there because no one was more loyal to WWE. No one worked harder than John Cena did and, props, I’m happy he got to out on his own terms and do it his way.”
“John Cena Was Having Some Killer Matches” – Jeff Hardy
There was a time around 2008 or so when Jeff Hardy matched John Cena in terms of being the most popular wrestler in WWE. As he gave his thoughts on the GOAT’s retirement, Jeff Hardy would go on to praise John Cena’s performances over the last year, and the tap out that ended Cena’s final match.
“He committed and dedicated so much of his human existence to the WWE, and it’s so inspiring.
I’ll never forget that view of the sleeper hold, the kinda smirk and the tap. I’m like, oh my gosh, this is amazing.
And, that last year, he was having some killer matches. Letting it all hang out, as my dad used to say. Like, hitting all these crazy moves. Hitting the Code Red. I was just loving every moment of it.”
As for The Hardys future, Matt Hardy confirmed they have re-signed with TNA, but they could still appear in WWE since the two companies have a working agreement to share talent.