John Cena Announces Retirement From WWE, 2025 Season To Be Last For 16-Time Champion

John Cena made his WWE debut in 2001 and cut back to part-time in 2018 to grow his acting career.

Los Angeles: In a piece of heartbreaking news to all the WWE fans around the world, superstar John Cena has announced his retirement from the in-ring competition. He will bid farewell to WWE in 2025. The surprise announcement was made at WWE Money in the Bank in Toronto, Canada. “Tonight, I am officially announcing my retirement from the WWE,” he said in the clip. Cena signed with the WWE in 2001, cutting back to part-time in 2018 as he has continued to grow his acting career.

Later in his speech, Cena revealed he plans to stay on to take part in Monday Night Raw as it makes the unprecedented move to Netflix in January 2025, as per Deadline. “This farewell, it does not end tonight,” he said. “It is filled with opportunity. Everybody, Raw makes history next year when it moves to Netflix. I’ve never been a part of Raw on Netflix, that is history. That is a first, and I will be there.

JOHN CENA RETIRES FROM WWE Announcement 📢🥊
“The 2025 Royal Rumble will be my last” “The 2025 Elimination Chamber will be my last” “WrestleMania in Las Vegas will be my last WrestleMania”👊🏻 #JohnCena #MITB #WWE #WrestleMania #retirement @JohnCena @WWE https://t.co/H2goXxZkoS pic.twitter.com/2ureVjkM77

— CFB Music (@CFBMusicOrg) July 7, 2024

“And along with that history making first, we are going to build so many unforgettable lasts. The 2025 Royal Rumble will be my last. The 2025 Elimination Chamber will be my last. And I’m here tonight to announce that in Las Vegas, WrestleMania 2025 will be the last WrestleMania I compete in,” added Cena.

Cena’s retirement marks an end of 23-year long wrestling career. During this time, Cena won 13 WWE Championships and is also a three-time world champion. He is also tied with legendary Ric Flair on most top title wins in WWE. The last time Cena was seen in the ring was against Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel 2023. He lost the match after taking 10 Samoan Spikes.