John Cena, renowned as a 17-time WWE Champion and an enduring figure in sports entertainment, officially concluded his legendary in-ring WWE career following the final event of his retirement tour in 2025. The announcement of his departure has sent shockwaves through fans and the wider wrestling community, with John Cena retirement news dominating headlines worldwide.
Cena faced his retirement with optimism, finding new pursuits outside of wrestling. Last November, he shared that he was chosen as the official voice of Honda, expressing his anticipation to be part of their new Prelude campaign. Taking his enthusiasm further, on January 10th, Cena revealed through his Twitter/X account that he had added a brand new blue Honda Prelude to his already impressive car collection.
“Took the Civic TypeR in for service and was fortunate enough to pick up the brand new @Honda Prelude!! Thank U @wc_honda for helping add this Boost Blue Beauty to the Honda Lineup! Time to see what this thing can do!!!,” he wrote.
Cena’s continued partnership with Honda symbolizes his shift toward new ventures as he moves beyond his wrestling persona as the Cenation Leader. His passion for automobiles and his presence as Honda’s ambassador underscore how athletes like Cena continue to influence industries outside their original arenas.
Reactions and Controversy Surrounding Cena’s Retirement Match
John Cena’s last match took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he squared off against Gunther. The battle ended with the iconic wrestler being forced to submit, a conclusion that ignited heated discussion throughout social media platforms. Many fans were vocal about the surprising finish, especially given Cena’s career-long mantra of resilience and never giving up. The decision for Cena to tap out to Gunther’s hold created a major stir, reflecting the intensity and emotion attached to his final match.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk addressed the polarizing response in an interview on ‘My Mom’s Basement’ with Robbie Fox, providing his perspective on why the ending sparked such strong reactions.
“It’s just like John Cena-Gunther finish. I feel like it’s the same thing. Yeah, whereas some people may be, I don’t think you understand what you are watching. But if you didn’t like it, I can also understand that, but to overnight make it your entire personality and spend an unhealthy amount of time talking about it. Put it this way. If John won, they’d be mad about it too. But we wouldn’t be talking about it anymore, and we are still talking about that finish. The Smile, the tap. ‘Oh my god, the guy who said Never Give Up, just gave up.’ Did he?” he said.
Punk’s remarks captured the mixed sentiment among wrestling fans and commentators, emphasizing that any ending to Cena’s storied career would inspire debate and reflection, given the immense influence Cena has had on WWE over the years.
What Lies Ahead for John Cena and WWE
Now that John Cena’s professional wrestling career has drawn to a close, speculation has already begun about his future engagements within WWE and beyond. While his final match marked a significant turning point for the company and its fans, the extent of Cena’s future involvement—whether in an ambassadorial capacity or surprise appearances—remains unknown.
For WWE, the end of Cena’s time as the Cenation Leader signals a new era for rising stars and experienced champions alike. Icons like Gunther continue to build their legacies, while figures such as CM Punk shape the ongoing narrative of professional wrestling. The John Cena retirement news not only marks the end of one chapter but sets the stage for the next major moves in WWE and the broader sporting world.
Took the Civic TypeR in for service and was fortunate enough to pick up the brand new @Honda Prelude!! Thank U @wc_honda for helping add this Boost Blue Beauty to the Honda Lineup! Time to see what this thing can do!!! pic.twitter.com/th2anjPkim
— John Cena (@JohnCena) January 10, 2026
