John Cena officially stepped away from in-ring competition two months ago, marking the end of a storied wrestling career to pursue acting full time. His farewell tour concluded at the Saturday Night’s Main Event held on December 13 in Washington, D.C., where he submitted to Gunther. Gunther notably went on to retire AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble just over a month later. Cena’s decision to retire came as he sought to prioritize his expanding Hollywood projects while managing the physical toll of wrestling after years of being a cornerstone performer.
Upcoming Hollywood Projects Highlight Cena’s Shift in Focus
At 48 years old, Cena’s body has endured significant wear-and-tear sustaining his status as a leading WWE star for over a decade. His transition now centers on his film career, with several movies lined up for release later this year. Cena is set to appear in titles like Coyote vs. Acme, Matchbox: The Movie, and Little Brother. Additionally, rumors circulate about his involvement in future projects such as The Janson Directive and The Leading Man. This pivot to Hollywood represents a major evolution in Cena’s career trajectory following his WWE retirement.
Oba Femi Shares Insight into Cena’s Final Days in WWE
During an appearance on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, hosted by O’Shea Jackson Jr., rising star Oba Femi disclosed that internal WWE discussions considered him as a potential rival to retire John Cena. While Femi ultimately did not have the opportunity to end Cena’s wrestling career, he gained valuable experience by sharing the ring with him during Cena’s farewell tour. One highlight was Femi’s match against Cody Rhodes, who was then the Undisputed WWE Champion, on Cena’s final night inside the squared circle.
“I was really hoping to, you know, work with him, especially when a lot of people were putting fire under the idea of me being the one to retire him and stuff like that. I had already rubbed minds with John in the past. He had given me advice and he had seen me wrestle before,” Femi said. [H/T Fightful]
Since then, Femi has joined WWE’s main roster without a permanent brand affiliation. Recently, he made a marked impact by attacking The Viking Raiders on Raw and securing a victory against Kit Wilson on SmackDown, signaling his rising presence within the company.
Future Implications for Cena and WWE’s Next Chapter
John Cena’s retirement signals a pivotal moment for WWE as it marks the passing of the torch to a new generation of Superstars. His departure to focus on Hollywood projects not only frees the company to elevate emerging talent like Oba Femi but also highlights the multifaceted career paths of modern WWE legends. Fans and industry insiders will be closely watching Cena’s upcoming podcast interview with O’Shea Jackson Jr. for deeper insights into his career and reflections on his WWE journey. The impact of his exit continues to ripple through WWE’s roster and storytelling, shaping the company’s direction moving forward.
John Cena will be the guest on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast next week @OsheaJacksonJr @toojiggy @theresnocontest pic.twitter.com/h2JkW7Be2O
— Cory of Bodyslam.net (@Cory_Hays407) February 13, 2026
