John Cena Reveals Real Reason He’s Retiring From WWE

WWE legend John Cena has revealed the real reason behind his decision to call time on his in-ring career at the end of December. The 48-year-old is currently on his ‘Farewell Tour’ in WWE, having confirmed that he would retire at last year’s Money In The Bank Premium Live Event.

At the time, Cena stated that he would work 35 to 40 dates in 2025, before retiring at the end of the current year. The 17-time world champion has already worked 13 of those dates, although most have been non-wrestling appearances.

Cena has wrestled only five matches to date since the beginning of his retirement tour and is next expected to step through the ropes at Money In The Bank 2025, where he is scheduled to team with Logan Paul to take on the duo of Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso.

After debuting on the main roster in 2002, Cena has wrestled a match on WWE television in each of the following 23 years. It’s a streak he has previously spoken of his pride in, but his retirement means that it will come to an end in 2025.

John Cena Sounded So Sad When Speaking Honestly About His Retirement

His WWE in-ring career will end in December 2025

During a recent appearance on the WWE series ‘Stephanie’s Places’, John sat down with Stephanie McMahon to discuss his legendary career. Inevitably, the subject of why Cena has decided to hang up his boots came up – and the Superstar looked visibly emotional when giving his response.

Using a weightlifting analogy to explain how his body is feeling and how it affects his performance in the ring, Cena said:

“I used to do a clean and jerk with 330 pounds. That’s a 300-pound snatch. I can’t even do those lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up. So as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, ‘oh man, I’m never gonna overhead press 374 pounds ever again’. But let’s work to see what the best I can [lift] for today is.”

John Cena’s WWE Career Stats (as of 20/05/2025)
Total number of matches	2247
Total number of wins	1779 (79.2%)
Total number of losses	412 (18.3%)
Total number of draws	56 (2.5%)

Cena admitted that he views his WWE career in much the same way, wanting to do the best that he can for the fans while he is still able to perform at a decent level.

“It’s a very similar course to WWE. My skills are on regress. If I continue at a full-time physical capability or involvement, I’m not going to run right. My partner’s not gonna run right, and our relationship isn’t gonna run right. Sorry, kid, it’s time to close this chapter!”

As he continued to speak about his transition away from the ring, Cena almost looked teary-eyed as he explained in a regretful tone: “I wish I was 18, I wish I felt great, because I don’t feel more at home, besides in the arms of my wife, than I do on the canvas.”

While Cena might have come to terms with the decision in his own mind, he still had to let WWE know about the situation. He was relieved by the response he received.

“I had to pitch this idea, a real wrestling farewell, and hoping that they would see the business in it. And they were like, ‘yes, this is gonna be good’.”

No official announcement has yet been made as to when Cena’s final WWE match will take place. However, a rumoured date and venue have already begun to circulate. As much as fans – and Cena himself – might be sad about it, one of the GOATs of professional wrestling has just seven months remaining before he steps away for good. With a number of high-profile matches planned between now and then, the rest of 2025 looks set to be must-watch viewing as Cena writes the final chapter of his iconic career.