The legendary John Cena is deep into his final year as an active WWE star, with just 21 appearances left before his much-anticipated farewell match this December—a focal point of the ongoing John Cena retirement tour and final WWE appearances. As he approaches his last days in the ring, fans and fellow wrestlers alike are taking in each moment as Cena prepares to close an unparalleled chapter in his storied career.
Cena’s Final Year Brings Milestones and Surprises
With the year 2025 nearly at its halfway mark, Cena has confirmed that this is indeed his swan song as a professional wrestler. Now 48, age and the demanding nature of wrestling have prompted his decision to step away. This bittersweet realization comes on the heels of a record-breaking achievement at WrestleMania 41, where Cena captured his seventeenth WWE World Championship, cementing his legacy in wrestling history.
Fans have witnessed another unexpected turn: Cena’s rare switch to a heel role—something not often associated with the famous superstar. While this move injected new drama into WWE storylines, it also drew polarized reactions from the fanbase, with some suggesting the overall product has lost momentum despite Cena’s intensified presence.
Entering 2025, Cena was slated for 36 appearances on WWE television—distinct from actual matches. So far, he has fulfilled 15 of these commitments, leaving fans counting down the 21 remaining appearances as the calendar moves closer to his final bow.
Major Upcoming Events on Cena’s Retirement Tour
According to reports from Fightful, John Cena’s upcoming engagements include both high-profile matches and significant television appearances, bringing him to fans across the globe before his career concludes.
Key dates on his remaining tour include:
- June 7 – WWE Money in the Bank, Los Angeles, CA
- June 9 – WWE Raw, Phoenix, AZ
- June 13 – WWE SmackDown, Lexington, KY
- June 20 – WWE SmackDown, Grand Rapids, MI
- June 27 – WWE SmackDown, Saudi Arabia
- June 28 – WWE Night of Champions, Saudi Arabia
- August 8 – WWE SmackDown, Montreal, QC, Canada
- August 22 – WWE SmackDown, Dublin, Ireland
- August 29 – WWE SmackDown, Lyon, France
- August 31 – WWE Clash in Paris, Paris, France
- October 11 – WWE Crown Jewel: Perth, Perth, Australia
Though SummerSlam does not appear on the official list, speculation is strong that Cena will participate in this year’s two-night SummerSlam event in early August. Each appearance grows in importance as Cena’s WWE journey enters its final phase.
Rumors Surrounding Cena’s Final Match
One of the most discussed aspects of Cena’s retirement involves the location and timing of his last match. Rumors suggest the possibility of his sendoff taking place near his hometown of Boston at a Saturday Night’s Main Event broadcast this December, adding a personal and emotional touch to the culmination of his historic ride.
Cena Reflects on Retirement and His Physical Limits
In a revealing conversation on ESPN’s “Stephanie’s Places” with Stephanie McMahon, Cena opened up about the physical challenges compelling him to retire after over two decades in the ring.
“I can’t even do these lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up. So, as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, ‘Oh man, I’m never gonna overhead press 375 pounds ever again. But let’s work to see what best I can for today is.’ You know, it’s a very similar course to WWE.My skills are on regress. If I continue at a full-time physical capability or involvement, I’m not gonna run right, my partner is not gonna run right, and our relationship isn’t gonna run right. Sorry, kid, it’s time to close this chapter. I wish I was 18. I wish I felt great because I don’t feel more at home, besides in the arms of my wife, than I do on a canvas.”
—John Cena, WWE Superstar
Cena shared his struggle with the reality of growing older in such a relentless sport and the emotional challenges of stepping away from a place he has long considered home.
Big Matches Still to Come for the WWE icon
This retirement tour does not mean Cena is fading quietly. He remains a central figure in major WWE events. On June 7 at WWE Money in the Bank, Cena is slated for a main event matchup, teaming up with Logan Paul against Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso, raising anticipation for a showstopper befitting his enduring star power.
Throughout the remainder of 2025, fans around the world—from Australia’s Crown Jewel to Paris’s Clash events—are eager to witness Cena’s final competitive outings and public appearances before he closes the ring ropes behind him forever.
The Road Ahead for WWE and Its Global Fanbase
As the John Cena retirement tour and final WWE appearances inch toward the last chapter, the emotion and gravity are palpable for fans, fellow wrestlers, and WWE itself. Cena’s departure marks an end of an era, pushing the wrestling world to search for its next defining superstar. Legends like Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Jey Uso, Natalya, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins remain in the spotlight, ensuring the action continues, but the void Cena leaves will be deeply felt.
With his farewell tour crossing cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, Montreal, Dublin, Lyon, Paris, Perth, and Saudi Arabia, and featuring showdowns at events like SummerSlam and WWE Night of Champions, Cena’s legacy is reaching audiences worldwide. When his last match arrives—likely in December at a television special in Boston—the industry and his global supporters will bid farewell to a wrestler whose career transformed WWE history forever.
