John Cena, one of the most iconic WWE Superstars, is not expected to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame immediately following his retirement in 2025. While the WWE does not enforce a waiting period after a wrestler’s career ends to enter the Hall of Fame, reports from WrestleVotes on Fightful Select indicate that Cena’s induction will not occur as early as 2026. For that year, only Stephanie McMahon is slated for induction.
Despite this, Cena’s induction remains a certainty in the future, given his significant impact on professional wrestling. It appears he may prefer to allow some time before officially joining the Hall of Fame, allowing fans to appreciate his career in retrospect.
WWE’s Approach to Hall of Fame Inductions Compared to Other Sports
Unlike many sports that require athletes to wait several years before being eligible for their respective halls of fame, WWE does not impose mandatory waiting periods. This flexibility means wrestlers can be inducted while still actively competing. A prominent example is Rey Mysterio, who was inducted at 51 years old while continuing his in-ring career. Mysterio headlined the Hall of Fame class of 2023, with Konnan officiating his induction, which also included legendary figures such as The Great Muta, Stacy Keibler, celebrity inductee Andy Kaufman, and Tim White, who received the Warrior Award.
John Cena’s Recent Retirement and Future Activities
Cena’s final match took place during the December 13, 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he faced Gunther. Gunther, who notably ended Goldberg’s career earlier that year, defeated Cena when the latter tapped out, marking a surprising conclusion to Cena’s in-ring career and leaving the audience stunned. Since his retirement, Cena has not returned to wrestling but is shifting his focus to acting, with upcoming appearances in films such as Coyote vs. Acme and Matchbox: The Movie.
Significance of Cena’s Delayed Induction
John Cena’s deferred Hall of Fame induction highlights WWE’s unique practices and his personal preferences regarding legacy recognition. His eventual induction will honor a storied career that helped shape modern wrestling. This delay also offers fans the chance to celebrate Cena’s full body of work after his final departure from active competition. As WWE continues to plan future Hall of Fame ceremonies, Cena’s inclusion remains a pivotal moment anticipated by the wrestling community worldwide.
