WWE Legend Claims John Cena’s Retirement Is A Gimmick

John Cena has only two matches left on his retirement tour.

His next match will take place at Survivor Series on November 29, where he will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio.

Then, on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, he will have his retirement match and hang up his boots for good.

However, there is a certain star who believes that Cena’s retirement might be a gimmick.

Speaking to TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Lana, aka CJ Perry, who is under a Legends contract with WWE, claimed she thinks John Cena will not retire from the ring in December 2025, and that it is just all part of an act.

She highlighted that many other wrestlers, like The Undertaker, have claimed to retire from the ring only to show up in WWE later.

“The biggest worker of them all is John Cena… I never believe Cena or The Undertaker are retiring. It’s a gimmick. We’re all going to buy the towel and the merch.” [H/T Ringside News]

John Cena Scheduled For A Major Non-WWE Appearance in 2026

While the question of Cena’s retirement remains in the near future, fans can take comfort in knowing that they will still have the chance to see Cena and meet him, even if it is not in the wrestling ring.

That said, it was recently announced that John Cena will attend the FAN EXPO New Orleans in January 2026.

According to the press release from FAN EXPO New Orleans:

Fans ‘Can See’ Actor, Wrestling Champion John Cena at FAN EXPO New Orleans

Best-Selling Author, WWE star, ‘Suicide Squad, ‘F9’ Actor Bolsters Celebrity Punch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, January 9-11

NEW ORLEANS, November 25, 2025 – Fans of John Cena like to chant his famous “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase. But they certainly will be able to see the 16-time WWE champion, actor and best-selling author when he attends FAN EXPO New Orleans, set for Friday through Sunday, January 9-11, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. He joins an already stacked celebrity lineup that features four Lord of the Rings standouts and many others in the pop culture extravaganza.

Cena is one of the most iconic wrestlers in the pro organization’s history. Last year he made big news in wrestling circles with a “heel turn,” marking his first time as a “bad guy” in the narrative before announcing his retirement from the ring, effective next month. His growing Hollywood career has included roles in blockbuster hits like F9 and The Suicide Squad and the lead in the latter’s spinoff series Peacemaker.

FAN EXPO New Orleans features the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors, cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom.

More FAN EXPO New Orleans guest announcements will follow from the worlds of film, television, streaming, art, literature, gaming, cosplay, anime, animation and more in the coming weeks.

Adult, Youth and Child Single-Day Tickets, Three-Day Passes, Family passes, and Ultimate and VIP Packages for FAN EXPO New Orleans are available now at www.fanexponeworleans.com. Advance pricing is available until December 26.