World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) legend John Cena has officially retired from professional wrestling, bringing an end to a remarkable 24-year in-ring career that shaped modern sports entertainment. The 48-year-old wrestling icon had his final match on Saturday night at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., leaving fans around the world emotional and reflective about his lasting impact on the industry.
Cena’s final appearance came at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he faced Austrian powerhouse Gunther in his farewell bout. The match lasted just under 25 minutes and ended in dramatic fashion, with Cena being forced to submit to Gunther’s sleeper hold. It was a shocking ending for many fans, especially because Cena was famous throughout his career for never giving up and rarely tapping out.
As the closing moments of the match unfolded, the atmosphere inside the arena became tense. Gunther kept Cena locked tightly in the sleeper hold, while fans loudly chanted and urged their hero to keep fighting. Despite the cheers and support, Cena eventually tapped out, signaling the end of the contest and, symbolically, the end of his wrestling career. Many fans inside the arena were seen wiping away tears as the reality of the moment set in.
The ending stunned viewers because it marked the first time Cena had tapped out in his long WWE career. Known for his strength, resilience, and slogan “Never Give Up,” Cena had built his image around fighting through pain and overcoming the odds. Seeing him submit in his final match made the moment even more powerful and emotional.
After the bell rang, the respect Cena earned over more than two decades became clear. Wrestlers from the WWE locker room came out to the stage and ringside area to honour him. The show of respect highlighted the influence Cena had not just on fans, but also on fellow wrestlers who saw him as a leader and role model.
In a deeply symbolic gesture, Cena removed his wristbands and boots and left them in the middle of the ring. In professional wrestling, this act is widely recognised as a sign of retirement. He then slowly walked up the entrance ramp, paused, turned back toward the ring, and gave a final salute to the fans and cameras before disappearing backstage for the last time as an active wrestler.
John Cena retires as a 17-time world champion, the most world title reigns officially recognised by WWE. This record places him at the very top of WWE history and underlines his dominance across different eras. He also headlined WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest annual event, on six occasions, further proving his status as one of the company’s biggest stars.
Over the years, Cena became one of the most recognisable faces in sports entertainment. His trademark catchphrase, “You Can’t See Me,” along with his colourful outfits and energetic entrance music, made him popular with fans of all ages. For many young viewers, Cena was their first wrestling hero.
Cena made his WWE debut in 2002 when he faced Kurt Angle in a losing effort. At the time, he struggled to find his place as a singles star and did not immediately connect with fans. His career took a major turn when he introduced the “Doctor of Thuganomics” character, a confident and outspoken persona that used freestyle rap to challenge opponents. This change quickly caught the attention of fans and management, setting him on the path to stardom.
From that point on, Cena became the face of WWE for more than a decade. He carried the company through different periods, often dividing fan opinion but always remaining one of its most reliable and hardworking performers. While some fans cheered him loudly, others booed him, yet Cena continued to perform at a high level and represent WWE on the global stage.
Beyond wrestling, Cena successfully crossed over into Hollywood, becoming one of the few WWE stars to enjoy long-term success in acting. He appeared in several movies and television shows, further increasing his popularity and introducing him to audiences outside wrestling. Despite his busy acting schedule, Cena remained closely connected to WWE and continued to make appearances in the ring.
Cena had announced earlier that his retirement was approaching. At the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event on July 6, 2024, he revealed that he would retire from in-ring competition at the end of 2025. This announcement gave fans time to prepare and allowed WWE to plan a proper farewell tour in his honour.
His retirement tour officially began at the Royal Rumble in January, where he was eliminated by Jey Uso. The moment reminded fans that Cena’s time at the top was nearing its end. In March, at the Elimination Chamber event, Cena shocked the wrestling world by turning heel, meaning he adopted a villain role, for the first time since 2003. This rare move added excitement and unpredictability to his final year.
In April, Cena reached another major milestone when he defeated Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania. The victory gave him his record-breaking 17th world title and marked one last championship run for the veteran. However, he later dropped the title and returned to his familiar heroic persona after losing to Rhodes at SummerSlam in August.
To decide Cena’s final opponent, WWE organised a tournament, with Gunther emerging as the winner. This set the stage for their emotional clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Gunther earned the right to face Cena in his farewell match.
After the event, current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes spoke emotionally about Cena’s influence on the business. Struggling to hold back tears, Rhodes praised Cena’s professionalism, discipline, and leadership. He said Cena set a high standard and taught many wrestlers how to succeed both inside and outside the ring.
