Only five appearances remain in John Cena’s Retirement Tour, which was announced at last year’s Money in the Bank Premium Live Event as his farewell to wrestling in 2025. This tour has showcased some of Cena’s most dramatic moments in recent years, including a record-setting 17th WWE Championship reign and a heated rivalry with Brock Lesnar.
Significant Moments in Cena’s Final Wrestling Run
Since the announcement, Cena, now 48, has experienced a broad range of character shifts, adopting a villainous role before returning to a fan-favorite status ahead of SummerSlam. His clashes with longtime adversary Brock Lesnar have been especially brutal, highlighting the emotional and physical struggles in his final months in the ring.
At Wrestlepalooza, Cena faced a harsh reminder of their 2014 SummerSlam bout when Lesnar dominated him with six F5 moves, decisively pinning him. Despite Cena’s attempts to fight back with several Attitude Adjustments, he was unable to turn the tide. The match’s intensity was underscored by emotional reactions from the audience, including children visibly distressed by the one-sided battle.
Following the defeat, Lesnar further asserted his dominance by incapacitating the referee and striking Cena again before leaving the arena.
Remaining Dates and Future Opponents on Cena’s Tour
As Cena’s retirement tour winds down, speculation surrounds who he will face next. Reports suggest that an encounter with AJ Styles was once planned, though this did not come to fruition. Cena’s final run will continue mostly through WWE’s RAW brand, as his last match on SmackDown was against Sami Zayn.
The remaining confirmed engagements for John Cena’s tour are:
- October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
- November 10: WWE RAW in Boston, Massachusetts
- November 17: WWE RAW in New York
- November 29: Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego, California
- December 13: His retirement match
Ongoing Influence Beyond WWE
Besides his appearances in WWE, John Cena has also received recognition outside the promotion. He recently acknowledged a major tribute paid by a top star in AEW, signaling continued respect between him and key figures in the broader wrestling industry.
Additional Developments from WWE Events
Wrestlepalooza also featured other significant moments, including Drew McIntyre confronting Cody Rhodes during a contract signing segment on SmackDown. Paul Heyman made a surprising return to support Brock Lesnar ringside. Meanwhile, WWE took the rare step of acknowledging Vince McMahon, who stepped down from his executive chairman role at TKO Group in January 2024. Additionally, reports emerged regarding a major WWE star entering concussion protocol following a severe injury at the event.
These storylines and injuries highlight the volatile atmosphere surrounding WWE as Cena’s landmark tour approaches its conclusion, marking the end of an era for both the superstar and the promotion.
