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Everything to Know About John Cena's Retirement Plans: "It's Not Up To Me"
John Cena is retiring from the WWE ring, but there's a lot he'll do between now and then.
It’s a historic and tough day for WWE fans as one of its most legendary Superstars, John Cena, announced his plans to officially retire from in-ring competition. However, he’s planning one heck of a goodbye tour in 2025.
Among the many eye-catching things to take place at Money in the Bank 2024 was Cena holding a press conference in which he announced his plans to officially step away from in-ring competition shortly after WrestleMania 2025. The last time he entered the ring was at WrestleMania 40 during Cody Rhodes' big bout against Roman Reigns, where he was quickly dispatched by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
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Speaking to the press, Cena revealed that he only wants to compete in the WWE ring as long as he’s able to give it his physical best, and recognizes he’s got one more big showcase in him before that is no longer the case. However, he’s planning to capitalize on the entire year before he finally retires his jorts — and yes, he’s planning to retire the jorts.
What Is John Cena’s Retirement Plan?
Cena was asked directly if the uniform that made him famous would be done when he was and, sadly, the answer was “yes.”
“Yes, the jorts will be retired. Man, just when they were coming back into fashion, too," he joked.
But WWE fans will get a lot more jorts between now and the end of 2025. Cena said he spoke with WWE about a proper sendoff that includes 30 to 40 in-ring appearances up to and through WrestleMania.
“It’s not up to me,” he said of his decision to retire, noting it was up to his physicality and what the WWE could do with him.
“I approached the WWE with this idea and they kinda initiated the talks that this would be a great span of time if we were ever going to do it,” he explained. “Gosh, this is no thanks to me but the business is at incredible heights of popularity and awareness.”
He made sure to note that his last appearance won’t be WrestleMania, but that he does plan to compete there in 2025.
“It’s not going to end at WrestleMania. Wrestlemania will be my last WrestleMania, but hopefully, if everything goes according to plan, we’re going straight through from January to December,” he said. “We’re going to try to do a long list of dates. I think right now it’s tentatively hovering in the 30s to 40s.”
Will John Cena Seek a Record-Breaking Championship?
As Cena fans know, he currently sits at 16 Championship wins, tied with the legendary Ric Flair. When asked if he plans to finally break that record, Cena highlighted the realities of his current “slump” and how he hasn’t won a match in quite some time.
“I would love that opportunity, but those opportunities are earned. Given my past track record, I have some work to do,” he explained.
However, he noted that, although he’ll have to work from the ground up, there are Championship opportunities on the table at events like Elimination Chamber, the Royal Rumble, and even Money in the Bank.
“I’m a realist,” he said. “But there are some opportunities scattered in there. Who knows, man? Maybe we really make some history.”
Will John Cena Appear in WWE After Retirement?
Cena wanted to make it clear during his press conference that when he’s done with in-ring competition, he’s truly done. That said, it doesn’t mean he will no longer be a part of the WWE family.
“I do want make it perfectly clear that when I say I’m done competing, I am done. The uniform will be retired. I will be in a suit and tie,” he said. “I have no intention of being physical in any way. No guest refereeing, no falling through an accidental table, none of that stuff. I will be a fan and advocate and that’s it.”
He later added: “I don’t think I’m saying anything out of turn here: A lot of sports entertainment retirements are either immediate injury forces, they’re excuses to beat up a champion and vie for a title match, or they’re dishonest. People say they’re walking away and two years later, they come back. I want to set the record straight right now, I’m done. This is it. But the reason I’m saying that is not because I’m over it and done. I just want to send the message to our fans. If you ever want to be a part of this, one last time, we’re going to do it as big as we can and we want you to be a part of it to come and enjoy the show.”
So, while John Cena’s days of competing in WWE are numbered, his presence will continue to loom large outside the ring for years to come. That’s the plan, anyway. It seems fans will have to wait and see what stories come of his year of retirement competing in 2025 to know for sure what form his post-ring-retirement era will take.
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