In 2025, WWE fans witnessed John Cena’s highly publicized Retirement Tour, marking the final year of his professional wrestling career. Throughout the tour, Cena delivered a series of memorable moments, including a heel turn, winning his 17th World Championship, achieving Grand Slam Champion status, and turning back to a fan favorite—the culmination ending with his final match against Gunther where he submitted.
John Cena Finds Closure in the Tour’s Mixed Reception
Reactions to Cena’s Retirement Tour varied widely, especially surrounding his heel turn, which many fans felt failed to develop into a satisfying storyline. Additionally, Cena’s final match ending in a tap-out surprised and disappointed some followers, as it was an unexpected conclusion to the farewell saga.
Despite the divided opinions, Cena embraced the diverse responses during his appearance at the New Orleans Fan Expo. He acknowledged that the emotional highs and lows experienced by the audience mirrored his own career journey, which was marked by both acclaim and criticism over more than two decades.
Thank you for being vocal enough to express how you felt because every moment can be a teachable moment. I put together, my job is to try to put together a story that I think you all enjoy. And when there’s critical opinion out there, I’m all ears.I guess it kind of parallels my career. I think it was a perfect end, because a whole lot of people thought it sucked, a whole lot of people thought it was special, and that’s kind of been my story for 23 years. So I thought it was perfect.
– John Cena, Professional Wrestler
Cena’s comments reveal his acceptance of the tour’s polarized reception and emphasize his approach to storytelling within WWE. He described the culmination as fitting for his career, which has commanded both admiration and criticism in equal measure.
John Cena’s Future Relationship with WWE Post-Retirement
Although Cena has firmly stated that he will not return as a professional wrestler, he remains connected to WWE through a new ambassador role. This arrangement allows him to continue representing the company, maintaining his legacy while stepping back from in-ring competition.
His retirement marks a significant transition not only for Cena himself but also for WWE, as he has been one of its most iconic figures for the past 23 years. His departure closes a major chapter and signals a fresh era both for him and the promotion.
