John Cena announces pending retirement from WWE competition in 2025

You will not be seeing John Cena within the ring for for much longer. The professional wrestling icon introduced his impending retirement from WWE Saturday, making a shock look on the promotion’s “Cash within the Financial institution” occasion in Toronto.

“The 2025 Royal Rumble might be my final. The 2025 elimination chamber might be my final. And I am right here tonight to announce that in Las Vegas, Wrestlemania 2025 would be the final Wrestlemania I compete in,” Cena stated to the reside viewers in a video the WWE posted to social media. “I wish to say thanks.”

“Thanks Cena!” The group chanted in response.

The Massachusetts native additionally expressed his pleasure over Netflix’s multi-billion greenback deal buying the rights to WWE Uncooked in January.

“Uncooked makes historical past subsequent yr when it strikes to Netflix. I’ve by no means been part of Uncooked on Netflix. That’s historical past, that may be a first, and I might be there,” Cena stated.

Cena shed extra mild on his retirement in a post-show press convention, assuring that he would stay part of the WWE regardless that his profession as a performer was coming to an finish — and promising “a protracted record of dates” between January and September.

“Individuals say they’re strolling away, and two years later they arrive again. I wish to set the report straight proper now, I am finished. That is it,” Cena stated within the press convention. “Should you ever needed to be part of this one final time, we will do it as large as we will and we’re combating all people and we hope you come benefit from the enjoyable.”

When requested about his emotions concerning Vince McMahon, the previous WWE CEO and founder who stepped down in January amid allegations of sexual assault, Cena declined to provide his opinion, saying as an alternative the WWE was “in good fingers” with father or mother firm TKO Group Holdings.

In an interview with Howard Stern in February, Cena stated that he was an enormous advocate of accountability, however would stay a help system for McMahon for now.

“I’ve brazenly stated, I like the man, I’ve a terrific relationship with the man, and that is that,” Cena stated to Stern.

The 47-year-old gained 16 world championships over his practically 20 years within the WWE, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Kurt Angle, Triple H and Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson.

Exterior of the ring, Cena launched a studio rap album in 2005 and has appeared in a number of motion pictures and tv reveals. As his performing profession started to flourish with starring roles in tasks equivalent to “Bumblebee,” “F9: The Quick Saga,” and “The Suicide Squad,” his appearances within the ring diminished. 

“There have been many earlier than me, there might be many after. I assume what I’ve left to do is say my thank yous earlier than that chapter closes,” Cena stated.