John Cena announces his retirement from WWE after 22 years — but he’s got a nine-month farewell tour first
John Cena has announced his retirement from WWE.
The 47-year-old wrestler-turned-Hollywood actor made a surprise appearance at the promotion’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view event in Toronto on Saturday night.
He announced that he will retire from wrestling next year after a retirement tour that will see him perform at high-profile shows such as Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.
The 16-time world champion, arguably the biggest WWE superstar of all time, also said he wants to be involved when WWE’s weekly Monday Night Raw show moves to Netflix in January.
Cena’s presence in the WWE has dwindled dramatically in recent years as he sought success in films and television.
John Cena announced his retirement from WWE on Saturday night at Money in the Bank
Speaking in the ring on Saturday night, Cena said, “Why am I here? Tonight I officially announce my retirement from WWE.
“I hear a mixed bag of opinions there. A lot of questions maybe, right? Like, why here? I want to talk about that for a second. I want to talk about Toronto. I want to talk about Canada, really. I want to talk about Canadians, really.
“I’ve been doing this for a while. I’ve been in WWE for over two decades and in that time I’ve seen incredible waves of prosperity like we have now. WWE is without a doubt the hottest ticket in town.
‘And I’ve also seen tremendous hardship, and then no one knows your name, no one wants to be your friend, and only the most dedicated, hardcore fans are by your side.
“One of the most important and impressive things I’ve learned over the years is that Canadians always showed up, whether WWE was hot or cold.
‘You all made this what it is today and so, as far as I’m concerned, this is the perfect place to say what I have to say.
Cena has had many iconic storylines over the years, including The Rock
“This goodbye doesn’t end tonight. It’s full of opportunity. Everyone, RAW is making history next year when it moves to Netflix. I’ve never been a part of RAW on Netflix. That’s history. That’s a first and I’ll be there.
‘In addition to this historic first, we will also make many unforgettable firsts.
‘The 2025 Royal Rumble will be my last. The 2025 Elimination Chamber will be my last, and I’m here tonight to announce that WrestleMania Las Vegas 2025 will be the last WrestleMania that I compete in.
“I know, I know. It’s a lot to process. There are probably a lot of questions, and that’s why I’m telling you now that I’m going to start the press conference right after the show and I’m going to answer any questions about my retirement.
“I want to thank you. What an incredible act of kindness. I want to thank you. Thank you so much for letting me play in the house that you have built for so many years.
‘Thank you so much for your voice, because it’s really loud, and your honesty, because it’s beautifully brutal. And most of all, thank you for letting me be here with you tonight to let the world know that we’re planning something unforgettable, which includes going back to Toronto and having a party.
Cena and his wife Shay Shariatzadeh attended the premiere of Fast X in Rome last year
Cena walked around naked at the Oscars in March in a hilarious sketch alongside Jimmy Kimmel
“So if you’re watching from home or here in Toronto, or if you’re a WWE superstar, come on in quick because your last chance is now.”
Cena, who won the Oscars naked in March, is tied with WWE legend Ric Flair for the most world titles in wrestling history with 16.
He has played a central role in many of the company’s legendary storylines over the past 20 years, facing the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Triple H, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton.
Cena’s acting career has taken off in recent years, with roles in the Fast and Furious franchise, as well as Barbie, Daddy’s Home and Trainwreck.
He also hosted Saturday Night Live and the ESPYs and currently stars in Peacemaker on HBO.
