John Cena is set to retire from professional wrestling on December 13th, marking the end of an era highlighted by his record-breaking 17 world championship reigns, which surpassed Ric Flair’s previous record at WrestleMania 41 earlier this year. As Cena approaches his official retirement, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has expressed the possibility that Cena might one day return to the ring, much like Flair himself did after retiring.
Cena, 48, has steadily reduced his in-ring appearances since 2018, transitioning to a part-time schedule, but his announcement of a year-long Farewell Tour in June 2024 at the Money in the Bank event surprised many fans. Despite some criticism of WWE’s management of the tour and Cena’s unexpected heel run, audiences continue to admire “The Last Real Champion” for delivering unforgettable matches, including a standout SummerSlam main event against Cody Rhodes.
Ric Flair reflected on Cena’s future outside wrestling in an interview with Escapist Magazine, highlighting Cena’s burgeoning Hollywood success. Flair said,
“John is making so damn much money in the movies right now. He doesn’t need to do anything else. I hope that he’ll walk away and stay away. Wrestling is very addictive. When you’ve done it as long as John has, over 20 years, it’s hard to change your way of life.”
The pair share a close friendship beyond the ring, and Flair praised Cena’s character and personal life, stating,
“I see John periodically, but I can’t say enough nice things about John Cena. He’s a wonderful person, and he is very happily married, his wife is lovely. They’re building a new home here in Tampa.”
While balancing his Farewell Tour with film and TV roles, Cena has extended his presence beyond wrestling, notably starring in HBO’s Peacemaker series and originally beginning his acting career with WWE Films’ 2006 movie, The Marine.
The Challenges Behind Ric Flair’s Own Return from Retirement
Ric Flair’s experience with retirement reveals the complexities that wrestlers face when stepping away from the ring. After a dramatic send-off at WrestleMania 24 in 2008, where Flair lost to Shawn Michaels in a retirement match, everyone believed he had ended his in-ring career. This marked an emotional farewell at the Florida Citrus Bowl and a touching tribute on RAW, which even featured a tribute from The Undertaker.
Despite this, Flair reentered wrestling two years later by joining TNA during Hulk Hogan’s era, where he competed in several matches. Financial difficulties, including the burden of hospital bills and the costs associated with his divorce, played a significant role in his decision to return, as Flair admitted before his final match in 2022.
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Flair explained,
“I probably didn’t need to but I kind of missed it too. I sure could have worked around it, I never considered bankruptcy as an option.”
Although financial stress factored into his comeback, Flair emphasized that his last match—a tag team bout alongside his then-son-in-law Andrade El Idolo against Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett—was not motivated by money. At age 73, he won that match at a pay-per-view event named Ric Flair’s Last Match and has not competed since.
Fans often distinguish Flair’s WrestleMania 24 retirement from his post-WWE wrestling ventures, noting that unlike Cena, Flair never developed a parallel career in Hollywood to provide an alternative focus.
What Ric Flair’s Perspective Means for John Cena’s Future in Wrestling
Ric Flair’s history of returning to wrestling despite prior retirements casts a complex light on John Cena’s own retirement plans, especially considering the addictive nature of the sport and the emotional ties involved. While Cena’s thriving movie career and personal happiness may support remaining retired, Flair’s comments suggest that Cena could still feel the pull back to the squared circle, as many legendary wrestlers have.
Cena’s farewell tour acknowledges the closing chapter of a distinguished wrestling career, yet also reflects the uncertainty inherent in sports retirements, where passion and life circumstances often collide. Whether Cena fully steps away or eventually returns remains to be seen, but Flair’s cautionary perspective highlights the ongoing tension wrestlers face when balancing retirement with life beyond wrestling.
Given Cena’s multi-faceted career and enduring fan support, the wrestling world will be watching closely as December 13th arrives, awaiting the true final chapter or a potential encore.
