After more than two decades, the man you can’t see is officially leaving the ring where you first saw him.
John Cena, the longtime wrestler-turned-actor, shared at Saturday’s WWE Money in the Bank that he will be retiring from in-ring competition in 2025.
After making his unofficial WWE debut in 2000, Cena won a record 16 world champions and forged a legacy as one of the most beloved wrestlers within the WWE landscape.
While he’s primarily worked as an actor over the last decade in projects like The Suicide Squad, Bumblebee and the last two Fast and the Furious films, Cena’s career as a wrestler has garnered him one of the most passionate fanbases in all of professional sports.
News of his retirement is seismic for the WWE community, and you can bet that fans had some incredibly emotional responses for The Prototype exiting the professional wrestling world.
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
While it’s always possible Cena could make surprise WWE appearances in the future, fans grappled with the reality that one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time was prepared to ride off into the sunset.
They better give him the greatest retirement run ever man. RIP my childhood my forever https://t.co/HVW1BWAFEA
— Xavier Thomas (@atxlete) July 7, 2024
He's been there since I started watching WWE. My first PPV I watched live was Royal Rumble 2008 when he made his return (at the time I had no idea how crazy it was), but I'd learn who he was and how talented he is. Going to be an emotional WM41. Thank You, @JohnCena. https://t.co/QxVyJyvl2d
— Kyle/ErrorTTV ツ (@KGtheKetoGod) July 7, 2024
John Cena Farewell Tour is must see tv https://t.co/lZLQ4g7Dhr
— Master (@MasterTes) July 7, 2024
Not me stopped in the middle of Walmart watching this.
My guy in my pre-teen years. This is a gut punch. But I'm excited for the retirement tour. https://t.co/oL8HBdYofO— Jack Patterson (@JPattersonTV) July 7, 2024
Oh wow. The end for John Cena.
That’s gonna be a huge buildup and send off. I might even tune in more to check it out https://t.co/CuBkUEuBAm
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) July 7, 2024
Give him the farewell of a lifetime #MITB #ThankYouCena https://t.co/5Ib32gzcT4
— Andria Parides (@andriadacoolest) July 7, 2024
We didn’t appreciate Cena enough in the moment, but the guy carried the WWE for a long time. A legend. https://t.co/OFcmvsCnAW
— Robert Harding (@RobertHarding) July 7, 2024
Wild. I remember his first night in WWE vividly. Of course, we all know what happens with wrestling retirements, but this seems pretty definite from Cena. https://t.co/l3C7FL4CSc
— Tim Backes (@timbackes) July 7, 2024
I'm looking forward to seeing your final match in 2025!!!!@JohnCena #ThankYouCena https://t.co/TYnuJbmokE
— Malckie Rob (@Malckie92) July 7, 2024
i’m glad, he deserves to walk off into the sunset after everything he’s done for wwe https://t.co/grgjUm7fpt
— Ochai Latte (@nasimali) July 7, 2024
Respect to one of the best ever. @JohnCena https://t.co/0GkOHxfpiC
— Zack Clayton (@zackclayton) July 7, 2024
My favorite wrestler, my childhood hero, the best to ever do it is retiring. I have to go to Royal Rumble or WrestleMania next year. I have to. https://t.co/Uk8WcFH4ms
— Joe (@J_stas93) July 7, 2024
