After more than 23 years, John Cena is preparing to step into the ring for the last time.
During a surprise appearance at Saturday’s Money in the Bank in Toronto, Canada, the 16-time world champion wrestler announced he’s retiring from the WWE following WrestleMania 2025.
Although Cena has been known to display a towel that reads “never give up” over the years, this time he came out with one that read, “The last time is now.”
“Why am I here? Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from the WWE,” he said to shocked gasps from the audience.
Later in his speech, Cena revealed he plans to stay on to take part in Monday Night Raw as it makes the unprecedented move to Netflix in January 2025.
“This farewell, it does not end tonight,” he said. “It is filled with opportunity. Everybody, Raw makes history next year when it moves to Netflix. I’ve never been a part of Raw on Netflix, that is history. That is a first, and I will be there.
“And along with that history making first, we are going to build so many unforgettable lasts. The 2025 Royal Rumble will be my last. The 2025 Elimination Chamber will be my last. And I’m here tonight to announce that in Las Vegas, WrestleMania 2025 will be the last WrestleMania I compete in,” added Cena.
Although the crowd booed at the news, they soon began chanting “thank you Cena,” to which he responded with his own appreciation.
“Thank you so much for letting me play in the house that you built for so many years,” said Cena. “Thank you so much always for your voice, because it’s really loud, and your honesty, because it’s beautifully brutal. And most of all, thank you so much for allowing me to be with you here tonight to let the whole world know that we are planning something unforgettable, which also involves me returning to Toronto to kick some ass!”
Cena signed to the WWE in 2001, cutting back to part-time since 2018 as he has continued to grow his acting career in such movies as Daddy’s Home (2015), Blockers (2018), The Suicide Squad (2021) and his HBO Max series spin-off Peacemaker.