John Cena will retire at WrestleMania 41 in 2025. (Credit score: WWE/Getty Pictures)
Getty PicturesJohn Cena made a shock return at WWE Cash within the Financial institution 2024 and had a surprising announcement, too. The 16-time world champion confirmed up in Toronto to disclose that he’ll retire at subsequent yr’s WrestleMania 41 occasion in Las Vegas.
After Sami Zayn defeated Bron Breakker to retain the Intercontinental Championship, WWE Corridor of Famer and Cash within the Financial institution host Trish Stratus appeared on-stage to disclose a particular visitor. Cena, one of many greatest stars in professional wrestling historical past, entered the Scotiabank Area to a thunderous ovation solely to drop an surprising bombshell.
In a heartfelt speech, Cena thanked the followers in Toronto and knowledgeable the WWE crowd that subsequent yr’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber occasions—the ultimate two stops on the street to WrestleMania—could be his final. So, too, will WrestleMania 41, the two-night extravagana which can happen in Allegiant Stadium.
Though Cena’s surprising announcement got here out of nowhere, maybe it shouldn’t have.
In quite a few latest interviews, Cena had hinted at retiring within the close to future. Throughout an look on The Kelly Clarkson Present (h/t Speak Sport) earlier this yr, the 47-year previous wrestler and actor mentioned that he didn’t plan on wrestling previous the age of fifty. He doubled down on that whereas showing on TODAY, saying, “I’ll by no means be away from the WWE household. However so far as in-ring and falling down…the clock is restricted on that one.”
Little did WWE followers know simply how restricted time Cena’s could be.
Mere minutes after Breakker misplaced to Zayn in a surprising upset that had Zayn’s Canadian followers using excessive, Cena’s shocking announcement introduced followers again to actuality. Arguably the best all-around performer to ever grace a WWE ring, Cena final appeared for WWE again in April on the Uncooked after WrestleMania 40, teaming with The Miz and R-Fact to defeat The Judgment Day.
Only one night time earlier than, Cena made a shock run-in in the course of the epic WrestleMania 40 primary occasion between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. His final singles match befell final November when he was destroyed by The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa in a lopsided match that, maybe not sarcastically, clearly hinted at Cena’s impending retirement.
Now, 22 years after his WWE debut in 2002, Cena has let or not it’s know that the clock is ticking, hinting at having simply three remaining matches, with a Royal Rumble look and a closing match at WrestleMania 41 because the cherry on high of what has been a exceptional profession.
Though it stays to be seen precisely how what’s left of Cena’s legendary profession will play out, relaxation assured that will probably be a significant second for WWE and all of professional wrestling when the person who has been synonymous with WWE for two-plus many years calls it quits subsequent yr.
Shortly after Cena’s retirement announcement shook the followers contained in the Scotiabank heart, WWE CCO Triple H took to Twitter to name Cena “The Biggest of All Time:”
A former Royal Rumble winner, WrestleMania primary eventers, United States Champion and world champion, Cena actually has the accolades that warrant such a title for the person who famously mentioned, “You may’t see me.”
And by this time subsequent yr, wrestling followers certainly can have seen the “GOAT
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” of professional wrestling competing in his denims shorts and tennis footwear for the final time.