The John Cena retirement tour is nearly at its end, and with it may have set a new template for the way that the WWE greats choose to end their career.
Instead of opting for the traditional route of having one final match or one final run until WrestleMania, the 17-time World Champion chose to do things differently when it came to his own send off. Announcing the plans ahead of time, Cena stated that he would be making 36 appearances throughout 2025, which would culminate in December with his final match. Additionally, the Hollywood star has promised that from 2026, he will never put on the jorts again and his career as an in-ring performer will come to a definitive end, looking to become one of the few pro wrestling retirements that will actually stick.
It’s no secret that the reaction to the retirement tour has been mixed, especially when it came to the hell turn that took place back in the spring. However, with limited edition merch selling by the truckload, strong attendances and a great reaction worldwide, it’s hard to argue that the masses are happy to see Cena live one final time.
With only a handful of appearances left and just a few matches to go, Cena’s retirement has seen him make history, face first time ever opponents, and cross paths with old rivals.
A Recap Of The John Cena WWE Retirement Tour:
1. Runner Up In The Royal Rumble Match
Appearing live at the Raw on Netflix premiere, Cena made his intentions clear that he was looking to win the WWE Championship one final time to break the all-time record, with a third victory in the Royal Rumble match being the most logical path for the Hollywood star. Entering the match at number 23, Cena looked to be the clear favourite when it came down to the final 2. However, after being shoved off the apron by Jey Uso, Cena was the runner-up in his final Rumble match, and had to find another way to the main event of WrestleMania.
2. John Cena Wins The Elimination Chamber [And Shocks The World]
At the Royal Rumble post-show press conference, Cena stated that it would be best for business if he entered himself into the Men’s Elimination Chamber match of the same name. Taking advantage of a Seth Rollins stomp onto CM Punk, Cena pinned one of his greatest rivals to guarantee a match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. However, few will remember the match itself as the post-match segment was what got the world talking. Shortly after Cody Rhodes refused to sell his soul to The Rock, Cena turned heel for the first time in more than 2 decades by joining in on a beatdown on The American Nightmare. Leaving the arena with The Rock and Travis Scott, Cena turned the seemingly predictable retirement tour on its head.
3. John Cena Makes History At WrestleMania 41
As many had predicted, Cena was the one to emerge the victor over Cody Rhodes, winning his 17th World Championship in the process, more than anyone in the history of the promotion. Despite the fact that The Rock was heavily rumoured, what fans got instead was interference from rapper Travis Scott. While Rhodes got some revenge on Scott, it was Cena who stood tall at the end by striking Rhodes with the title to cement his legacy at his final Mania.
4. John Cena Slays The Viper
After winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, Cena’s first rival was a man who he crossed paths with many times and who many predicted to be Cena’s final opponent, Randy Orton. Taking place in Orton’s hometown of St Louis, Missouri, the Hollywood star once again used underhanded tactics to emerge the victor at Backlash thanks to a ref bump and belt shot, which became known as heel Cena’s trademark move, along with an unexpected R-Truth cameo to retain the title. Although this wasn’t the way many predicted to final Cena and Orton encounter to play out, many were happy to see two of the most decorated performers clash one more time.
5. Cena Takes Down One Of His Biggest Fans
Although many on TV were not in agreement with Cena’s actions, the man who viewed the Hollywood star as his childhood hero, R-Truth, sided with Cena despite others trying to persuade him. However, Cena was not a fan of Truth’s antics and laid out the veteran at the Backlash post-show press conference. Looking to prove a point, Cena faced Truth at the May Saturday Night’s Main Event special and easily defeated the multi-time 24/7 Champion. Much like the Orton match, this was not the Cena vs. Truth encounter many had expected at the start of the year.
6. The Truth Hurts For Cena At Money In The Bank
Cena’s first tag match on his retirement tour saw him team with Logan Paul to take on Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso at Money in the Bank. A few days before the show, the shock news broke that R-Truth had been suddenly released from his contract. With fans calling for Truth to be reinstated, the masses got their wish in the main event of the show as Truth took advantage of a downed referee to attack Cena, allowing Rhodes to be the first one to pin Cena in 2025.
7. Cena Beats Up R-Truth [Again]
Cena’s first TV match on the retirement tour saw him cross paths with R-Truth for a second time, but this time Truth had a more serious persona that TNA fans would be very familiar with. Unfortunately, much like the Saturday Night’s Main Event match earlier in the year, the June 20 SmackDown match ended in rather anticlimactic fashion as Cena delivered a blatant low blow to Truth to end the match in DQ.
8. Cena and Punk Battle In Saudi Arabia
Much like matches with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes looked to be inevitable in 2025, so did one final battle with CM Punk. Although Money in the Bank was heavily predicted to be the site of their long-awaited showdown, the match actually took place in Saudi Arabia, which was controversial for a number of reasons. Along with the general issues many have with events being held in the Kingdom, Punk’s previous comments about Saudi resurfaced online and political unrest just the week before saw many call for the show to be relocated or cancelled altogether. However, the match did go ahead as planned with Punk on the verge of winning the title until Seth Rollins and co interfered. With Cena preventing a Money in the Bank cash-in, there were signs that the heel turn may be coming to an end. However, following another betrayal, Cena picked up the win over Punk in what is likely to be their final battle.
9. A Summer Nightmare For Cena
With Cody Rhodes winning the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions, The American Nightmare earned the opportunity to stop the John Cena retirement tour ending with the WWE Champion leaving with the title. Battling all around MetLife Stadium in a street fight, Rhodes emerged the victor to end the 17th WWE Championship reign, and in the process confirm that the Cena heel turn had concluded. To add further insult to injury for Cena, a returning Brock Lesnar attacked the Hollywood star after the match in an appearance surrounded by controversy. Equally as surprising, a John Cena match in 2025 was awarded 5* by Dave Meltzer, Cena’s first since 2011.
10. Another TV Tag Team Match
With Cena and Rhodes back on the same page once more, the former and current WWE Champion teamed up on the August 8 episode of SmackDown to take on the unlikely duo of Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. Much like Cena’s SmackDown match against R-Truth, the Cena match was mostly non-eventful as he and Paul fought to the back, allowing McIntyre to attack Rhodes and stand tall at the end of the show.
11. John Cena Says Au Revoir To Europe
The final appearance on the European leg of the retirement tour saw John Cena go one-on-one with Logan Paul for the first time ever. With tributes to paid to former rivals throughout as Cena busted out many signature moves from high-profile opponents, big match John won his latest big match by defeating the social media star to the delight of the Paris fans in attendance.
12. Cena Gets Brocked In Final SmackDown Match
Returning to the show where he made his debut back in 2002 for one last time, Cena received a warm welcome from the Chicago crowd on the September 5 SmackDown, which Cena himself admitted he was surprised by. Interrupted by US Champion Sami Zayn, Cena was given the opportunity to win gold once more as he was a part of the Sami Zayn Open Challenge, paying homage to Cena’s segment in 2015 where he faced unutilized talent with the title on the line. However, the match ultimately ended in a no contest thanks to another appearance from Brock Lesnar, who laid both men out with an F5.
13. Cena Gets Squashed By Lesnar
With multiple references to the notorious Lesnar squash from SummerSlam 2014 ahead of Wrestlepalooza, fans were curious how the match would play out given both veterans’ history both in the industry and with each other. While some were hoping to see a triumphant victory from Cena in one of his final matches, what took place instead was another by the numbers Lesnar match with multiple suplexes and finishers. With Cena barely able to get out the gate, Lesnar easily dispatched his rival and with multiple disappointed fans in attendance, few were happy with what took place.
14. Phenomenal Match Down Under
Although some complained at the lack of build prior to Cena vs. Styles, all that changed when the bell rang. Packed with references to their past with Styles wearing his old TNA gear, multiple iconic finishes and a hot crowd, this was everything it lived up to be and then some. With Cena picking up the win after hitting just about every major finisher in wrestling, many believe this has been the best match on the farewell tour [so far].
15. Cena Hits The Grand Slam
Throughout his 23-year career on the main roster, Cena famously never won the Intercontinental Championship. However, that changed on the November 10 edition of Raw as he defeated Dominik Mysterio to capture the one accolade that had alluded him for more than 2 decades. Joining an exclusive club, Cena is now a grand slam champion.
16. A Fun Final Raw
One week on from his grand slam victory, Cena appeared on Raw one last time in Madison Square Garden in New York. After falling victim to a Judgment Day assault, Cena was saved by Sheamus and Rey Mysterio, setting up a 6-man tag match. While it was more of a house show style match, there was no denying that the fans enjoyed Cena’s last Raw as he, Sheamus and Mysterio picked up the victory.
17. Dominik Mysterio And Friends Spoil The Party
Cena saw his final title reign in WWE come to an end at just 19 days following a loss to Mysterio at Survivor Series. Following a ref bump, the rest of Judgment Day got involved to try and give Mysterio the advantage, but Cena was able to remain on top. However, thanks to a returning Liv Morgan, who delivered a low blow to the 17-time World Champion, Mysterio was able to capitalise and win back the Intercontinental Championship.
18. The Last Time
At Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, Cena stepped into the ring one final time as an in-ring competitor. Facing Gunther, who won The Last Time is Now Tournament to earn the right to face Cena, the 17-time WWE Champion suffered a rare submission loss as he tapped out to Gunther’s sleeper. Surrounded by the roster after the match, Cena took off his wristbands and sneakers, made his way up the ramp and thanked the fans for always being there for him.
Featured image: WWE
