2024 has been a blockbuster year for WWE, packed with unforgettable moments. The highlight was undoubtedly the electrifying return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to the ring, which had fans buzzing with excitement. On the flip side, John Cena, another WWE icon, threw a curveball at WWE Money in the Bank by announcing his retirement.
To add a bittersweet twist, he later told Jimmy Kimmel that he won’t be pulling a “The Rock move” and making a surprise comeback. Fans were left with a mix of admiration and a touch of sadness, knowing Cena won’t be stepping back into the ring anytime soon.
John Cena Sets the Record Straight, No Post-Retirement Returns Like The Rock!
John Cena has officially announced his retirement (via WWE), but he’s not stepping away just yet. Instead, he’s giving fans one final run with their childhood hero. Cena who is currently 47, has revealed that 2025 will mark his last year in the ring, with Elimination Chamber 2025, Royal Rumble 2025, and WrestleMania 41 set to be his final major events in WWE.
In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cena reflected on his WWE career. That is where he made one thing pretty clear, he acknowledged that while some wrestlers might return after retirement, as The Rock recently did, he’s firm in his decision to fully retire. Speaking of his retirement he said,
I am in a fortunate position where normally, in WWE, the retirement speech is usually a part of the story where they’ll say, ‘ I am going to retire, ‘ and they’ll attack the person who comes out to console. Mine is not part of an act, and sometimes stars find themselves physically incapable of competing, and I have my health.
He further added,
I know retirements in wrestling sometimes are liquid they happen, and then people renege on them. I am 100% done. December 2025 is the last time I will perform in the ring. I will still be part of the WWE family as an ambassador, but the time has come to close the physical performance chapter of my life, and I’m at peace with it. That’s why 2025 is going to be awesome. It’s going to be fun, not sad. But that’s it; I’m retiring.
Cena appears genuinely hopeful and excited to close out his in-ring career with style and glory, marking the end of a chapter that has given him so much. He’s filled with gratitude for the journey. Fans, too, are eagerly anticipating the chance to see him one last time in the ring over the coming year.
John Cena Promises One Last Epic Year Before WWE Retirement!
While it’s undeniably bittersweet to hear the retirement announcement of a beloved idol, however, Cena’s recent declaration that he will never return to the ring has particularly disheartened fans who have grown up watching this master in action.
To look on the bright side, it’s not all gloom and doom. Although he will be stepping away from in-ring performances, he will continue to be part of the WWE family as an ambassador. As Cena mentioned during his interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, there’s still a lot to look forward to.
I’ll be a member of the WWE family as an ambassador and a grateful one,–But you will see me wear this (points to suit), not the wristbands, the jorts, the ball cap. That, in December 2025, that goes away, and that’s the reason why we’re putting so much equity and emphasis on this farewell tour.
Here is what the fans are saying,
John Cena states the final time you will see him perform is December 2025
He will never come out of retirement to perform in a ring ever again. pic.twitter.com/8vBernJPEz
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) August 14, 2024
Still can’t believe John Cena is actually retiring 💔💔💔 https://t.co/V9ViNyRDoZ pic.twitter.com/7ryE5LvY2V
— QUAN☝🏽🎱🕷️ (@HeelQuan) August 13, 2024
Happy retirement John cena! Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect. We salute you
— Shayla (26 more days until my birthday) Sept 3 (@kamisha8906) August 14, 2024
I love the fact that when he says he will never perform in the ring again after this, he means it. John Cena has integrity.
— Oroku Saki (@Tony_Omega) August 14, 2024
We got one more year let's hope it's his best
— Hbartz The Ella Purnell Fan (@hbartz25) August 14, 2024
SMH that sucks ruined my night John cena is the only reason I watch wrestling without him I wouldn’t have cared or have been a fan of @WWE
— JLW (@JLWprime1) August 14, 2024
Although it’s a bittersweet moment, fans are eagerly anticipating what surprises John Cena will deliver in 2025. It’s set to be nothing short of epic. Fans can’t wait!
