26-Time WWE Champion Says He’ll Never Wrestle Again
26-time WWE Champion has confirmed that he’ll never step inside the ring again. The star in question is none other than John Cena, who is set to retire on December 13 later this year.
Cena’s career in WWE began in 2002. Since then, he has been a cornerstone of the Stamford-based company for more than 23 years. He’s accomplished almost everything in his career and is happy to ride off into the sunset at the end of the year.
Time and again, Cena has clarified that this is the last year of his in-ring run and he’s done for good after December 2025. He reiterated this statement during a recent sit-down interview with Fox Sports reporter Tom Rinaldi before Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI.
“I made a promise to WWE that I would not stick around when my skills can’t match the product, and they can’t, and that’s ok, because what I do isn’t who I am. The realization of that has helped me be like, ‘let these guys have it now’. Physical activity, 100%. I very rarely speak in absolutes because you never know. I do know in this case. Never again, because I don’t want to let the people I made a promise to down.”
Who Will face WWE Legend John Cena In His Retirement Match?
At SNME on November 1, WWE released a video package where John Cena revealed details about his final opponent. He disclosed that beginning November 10 on RAW, which will take place live in Boston, his hometown, the company will hold a 16-man tournament to determine his last opponent for December 13. Superstars from RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and non-WWE stars will be featured in the tournament.
From the moment I announced my farewell tour over a year ago, the one question I’ve been asked more than any other is: who do you want to face in your last match? My answer has always been the same. On my last day, I want to face whoever is willing to step up and seize the same kind of opportunity I was given on my first day.
Therefore, starting a week from Monday on RAW in my hometown in Boston a 16-man tournament will commence. The field will be chosen at random, built with competitors from RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and maybe even some faces who don’t even work here. There will be stars with whom I have a storied history. But even more generation of talent that I never gone one-on-one with in my life.