John Cena Retires from WWE: Heel Turn, Historic Titles and a Farewell That Redefined His Legacy
John Cena’s retirement from WWE was never going to be quiet or predictable. After more than two decades as the face of the company, the 16-time world champion turned global icon chose to end his in-ring career with a farewell run that challenged fan expectations and reshaped how his legacy will be remembered.
Cena’s final year in WWE was anything but routine. In a move once thought impossible, he turned heel for the first time in his career. The decision instantly altered the tone of his farewell, shifting it from nostalgia to confrontation. That heel turn culminated at WrestleMania, where Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. The victory made him a 17-time world champion, breaking his long-standing tie with Ric Flair and placing him alone at the top of WWE’s history books.
The farewell run did not end there. Cena later defeated Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Championship, completing his Grand Slam in WWE. It was a symbolic milestone, filling one of the few gaps in his decorated career and reinforcing his status as one of the most complete performers the company has ever produced.
Cena’s final match took place on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he faced Gunther. The bout ended with Cena tapping out, a moment that stunned fans. For a superstar synonymous with the mantra “Never Give Up,” a submission loss felt jarring and deeply emotional. The reaction was immediate, with fans debating whether the ending aligned with everything Cena had stood for over the years.
Days later, Cena addressed the moment on the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast with Cody Rhodes. He explained that the tap-out was intentional and reflective, describing it as “going peacefully.” Cena compared it to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s final moments in Star Wars — not a defeat, but a conscious acceptance of the end. The explanation reframed the moment as closure rather than collapse, offering fans a different lens through which to view his final bow.
Shortly after retiring, Cena reached another major milestone when fans voted him the 2025 Person of the Year. He edged out football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo by a narrow 55–45 margin, highlighting his enduring popularity and influence beyond wrestling. Even in retirement, Cena continues to command global admiration, built not only on championships but on consistency, work ethic, and cultural impact.
Our Thoughts
John Cena’s retirement feels less like an ending and more like a carefully written final chapter. By turning heel, winning historic titles, and choosing an unconventional final loss, Cena resisted the temptation of a safe farewell. Instead, he embraced complexity, reminding fans that legacies are not frozen in catchphrases but evolve with time. The tap-out against Gunther, controversial as it was, symbolised acceptance and transition — a message rarely explored in wrestling storytelling. As Cena steps away from the ring, his influence remains firmly intact, not just as a WWE legend, but as a figure who understood when and how to let go.