John Cena has announced his retirement from the WWE and confirmed that his final match will take place at Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas in 2025.
During WWE’s Money in the Bank premium live event on July 6 in Toronto, John Cena made a surprise appearance to thunderous applause. While donning a t-shirt that read “The Last Time is Now,” the 16-time World Heavy Weight Champion announced his retirement tour.
BREAKING NEWS: John Cena announced at #MITB he will retire from in-ring competition in 2025.#ThankYouCena pic.twitter.com/6TPnYI5iU2
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
“Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from the WWE,” Cena said before the crowd went wild. “I hear a mixed opinion out there. Lots of questions, maybe, right?! Like, ‘Hey! Why here?’ And I want to talk about that here for a second. I want to talk about Toronto. Matter of fact, I want to talk about Canada. Matter of fact, I want to talk about Canadians.”
He then went to thank his fans in Canada for always being there for him, for the good and the bad, and sharing that their support was the reason he chose to announce the news tonight.
Coupled with Cena announcing his retirement from in-ring competition was a confirmation that he would be wrestling at other upcoming premium live events on the road toward WrestleMania 41.
Key among them are the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and Monday Night Raw once it makes its move from the USA Network to Netflix in 2025. Cena concluded his retirement announcement by promising to share more information regarding his status in the company during Money in the Bank’s post-show press conference.
For more in the world of wrestling, check out our look at if Cody Rhodes should lose the undisputed WWE Championship before he faces The Rock.
Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh.
