WWE icon John Cena has shared his response to Hiroshi Tanahashi’s recent wrestling retirement, placing the spotlight on another legendary career coming to a close. The moment is significant for wrestling fans, as it follows the end of Cena’s own in-ring journey, raising reflections on the lasting impact of both athletes within the wrestling world and their handling of retirement.
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Career Concludes at Wrestle Kingdom 20
Hiroshi Tanahashi wrapped up his storied 26-year wrestling career with his final match at Wrestle Kingdom 20, held in Japan. In a dramatic contest that extended beyond 30 minutes, Tanahashi faced off against Kazuchika Okada in a highly anticipated singles match. Both competitors gave their all, delivering a performance that resonated with viewers and cemented the event as a historic moment. Ultimately, Kazuchika Okada secured victory, with Tanahashi taking the traditional route of helping his opponent look strong in his last bout.
Tanahashi’s legacy as a multiple-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a Japanese wrestling legend has prompted reactions from across the industry. Cena joined those honoring Tanahashi by posting a tribute image on Instagram, depicting Tanahashi proudly holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This gesture was widely recognized by fans as Cena’s personal salute to a peer whose influence extended internationally.
Industry Responses and the Significance of Retirement
The wrestling community has been abuzz with admiration and reflection since Tanahashi’s farewell. John Cena’s Instagram post is emblematic of the mutual respect shared among wrestling’s elite. His reaction connects the retirement narratives of both Tanahashi and himself, especially as Cena had his own emotional exit in December 2025. Cena, much like Tanahashi, opted to retire following a remarkable career filled with championships, headline matches, and a global fanbase.
Both of these departures underscore a longstanding tradition in wrestling: legends bowing out and elevating others on their way out of the spotlight. The culmination of Tanahashi’s journey has been met with both celebration for his contributions and a passionate response from peers, including Cena, who has long admired dedication and resilience in fellow performers.
John Cena’s Retirement Decision Examined by Seth Rollins
With Tanahashi now retired, many have speculated whether John Cena would eventually return to the ring, as some legends have done in the past. However, prevailing sentiment within WWE indicates otherwise. Seth Rollins, a revered WWE star, addressed Cena’s retirement in a recent interview, noting the finality of Cena’s decision and the professional code that influenced his last match.
“I had a sneaking suspicion that it was his [John Cena] idea. I don’t know that that’s true because I am not, you know, I didn’t ask. And if I am blowing up your spot John, I am sorry. I think it was his idea personally… I mean it’s customary in our business to when you’re on your way out, put the guy over. And there’s the thing. If John had won that match, we wouldn’t even be having the conversation today. No one would be talking about it,” Rollins claimed.
Rollins, reflecting on Cena’s retirement match where Cena tapped out to Gunther, points out the traditional wrestling custom: retiring legends tend to give their final opponents a memorable victory as a sign of respect and to further elevate the industry. According to Rollins, this was likely Cena’s way of leaving a lasting legacy—choosing not to emerge victorious in his last bout so the focus would remain on the next generation rather than himself.
Rollins’s comments reinforce the notion that Cena’s exit is likely to be permanent, paralleling the commitment shown by Hiroshi Tanahashi, who, after decades in the sport, is expected not to wrestle again.
The Lasting Impact of Retirement in Wrestling
The retirements of Hiroshi Tanahashi and John Cena mark a poignant shift in professional wrestling, with both legends choosing to conclude their in-ring work on their terms. Their farewells, celebrated by fellow stars such as Seth Rollins and Kazuchika Okada, highlight values of respect, humility, and selflessness that define the industry’s greatest icons. As the wrestling world moves forward, the reactions and tributes exchanged among these veterans set the tone for how careers are honored and remembered, leaving fans with memories of dedication and remarkable performance inside the squared circle.
