11:30 15-12-2025

John Cena retires from WWE: a final match and farewell

© illustration by ai

John Cena ends his WWE career at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII, losing to Gunther. He leaves sneakers in the ring as The Rock and Undertaker pay tribute.

John Cena, one of the most prominent figures in global wrestling, has come to the end of his road in the ring. The 48-year-old athlete and actor fought his final match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII in Washington. Up against Gunther, he lost by a chokehold. Yet the most telling moment came afterward: as he left, Cena placed his sneakers in the ring—a symbolic gesture of a definitive farewell. The shoes on the canvas carried a finality no speech could match.

The send-off drew immediate tributes. Dwayne The Rock Johnson offered warm words, emphasizing that, above all, what matters is being a good person. The legendary Undertaker added his voice, recalling that he had told Cena he had done a great job at his debut 23 years ago—and said the same again now. Moments like these spark especially lively debate among fans, and it’s easy to see why when the subject is a mainstay of the business.

Cena joined WWE in 2002 and became the promotion’s record-holder, claiming 17 world championships and completing the Grand Slam. His charisma and a signature motto about never giving up turned him into a hero for millions. Beyond the ring, he showed range in film, appearing in F9, Bumblebee, and The Suicide Squad 2.

It now seems fans will be following his screen career, waiting to see which roles the show-business star chooses after stepping away from sports. The next act is his to shape.