John Cena’s final WWE in-ring appearance will no longer take place in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, marking a significant shift in his farewell tour plans. The anticipated John Cena WWE retirement show move happened due to financial disagreements, resulting in the event being relocated to Washington, D.C.
End of an Era: Cena’s Last Matches and the Unexpected Change in Venue
During Friday Night SmackDown, John Cena wrestled in a United States Championship match against Sami Zayn that ended without a winner after Brock Lesnar intervened, targeting Cena aggressively. Lesnar later appeared backstage to deliver a brief, direct message:
“Hey John, I’ll see you at Wrestlepalooza, bi**h!”
—Brock Lesnar, WWE Star
This marked Cena’s final active wrestler appearance on SmackDown and his last in-ring performance in Chicago, a city with historic significance throughout his career. Cena originally planned for his farewell tour’s finale to take place in Boston but the landscape shifted dramatically.
Financial Concerns Behind the Change: Moving the Retirement Event to Washington, D.C.
With seven dates remaining on his WWE schedule, including a high-profile showdown against Brock Lesnar and two additional premium live events, Cena’s retirement show was moved from Boston to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where Saturday Night’s Main Event will air live on December 13.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the move was driven mainly by monetary factors. WWE demanded compensation comparable to the amount paid by New Jersey for SummerSlam to host the multi-event weekend initially planned for Boston between December 12 and 15. Boston’s bid reportedly fell short, prompting the decision to relocate to Washington, D.C.
“The reason the John Cena retirement show won’t be in Boston is because WWE wanted money similar to what they got from New Jersey for SummerSlam, to host the event, which would have been for multiple shows the weekend of 12/12 to 12/15. Boston didn’t bid high enough and then they moved to Washington, DC.”
—Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Historic Rivalry: Cena and Lesnar’s Impactful Encounters
John Cena and Brock Lesnar have a history filled with powerful matches that have shaped their careers and WWE storylines. Their clash at Extreme Rules 2012 was significant as it marked Lesnar’s return to WWE after an eight-year hiatus spent in UFC. Another unforgettable moment in their rivalry was the 2014 SummerSlam main event, widely regarded as a shocking and swift squash match.
Their upcoming match at Wrestlepalooza is promoted as “One Final Match,” emphasizing its importance as a culmination of their longstanding feud. This showdown also gains extra significance as it will serve as WWE’s debut broadcast on ESPN, spotlighting the event’s prominence.
Looking Ahead: What John Cena’s Farewell Means for WWE and Fans
The relocation of Cena’s retirement show underscores the complex business considerations behind WWE’s event planning, especially for high-profile occasions. Fans eagerly anticipate the final chapter in Cena’s wrestling journey, especially given the emotional and symbolic weight of his last matches and the new spotlight on WWE’s ESPN partnership. This move to Washington, D.C., while unexpected, ensures the event receives the financial backing needed to create a memorable send-off for one of WWE’s most celebrated veterans.
