WWE acknowledges that the John Cena retirement tour has not met expectations since its launch at the RAW Netflix Premiere. The 17-time World Champion will conclude his wrestling career on December 13 during Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C., but the series of events leading to his retirement has left many fans dissatisfied. Cena’s first heel run in twenty years, intended to be a major highlight, has failed to generate the excitement anticipated within the wrestling community.
Behind the scenes, WWE insiders attribute the tour’s lackluster reception to unexpected creative shifts during Cena’s appearances. His shocking heel turn at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, where he allied with The Rock, ultimately fizzled as The Brahma Bull did not return to further the storyline. This abrupt halt left audiences disappointed, especially given the huge buildup to Cena’s new villainous persona.
Following this period, Cena is slated to face AJ Styles at Crown Jewel in Perth. After this match, the wrestler will make four more appearances before retiring, including two RAW episodes airing on November 10 and 17, which will help build momentum toward WWE Survivor Series. A premium live event is also planned before Cena’s final match in December.
Critique of John Cena’s Recent Match Performance
John Cena’s previous bout against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza ended in a decisive loss for the Cenation Leader, with Lesnar dominating the match effortlessly. WWE analyst Sam Roberts expressed strong disapproval of the match during the Wrestlepalooza Recap Show, highlighting how the outcome undermined Cena’s standing and negatively impacted the audience’s experience.
“Because it makes you feel bad, and they looked at tonight and said, ‘What was that?’ And I mean, I’ll tell you what it was. It was Brock showing the world what Brock and only Brock can do: Go in, destroy moments, make you believe that he is capable of destroying the moment that he just destroyed, and then leaving children crying. Of all matches for John Cena to come to the ring with all those kids, the Brock match is not the one to do it with,” he said.
— Sam Roberts, WWE Analyst
This criticism emphasizes how damaging Lesnar’s overwhelming victory was, especially considering John Cena’s longstanding connection with younger fans. The loss casts a shadow over Cena’s remaining matches, including his upcoming challenge against AJ Styles. Cena’s ability to recover from this setback and recapture his former glory remains uncertain as he moves closer to retirement.
What’s Next for John Cena and WWE?
As Cena continues his retirement tour, WWE faces the challenge of restoring momentum and fan engagement. The upcoming matches, especially the Crown Jewel contest against AJ Styles, are crucial for Cena’s legacy and the emotional closure fans seek. How WWE navigates the final months of Cena’s career will significantly affect perceptions of both the wrestler’s farewell and the company’s creative direction going forward.
With four appearances left after Crown Jewel, including major events like Survivor Series, the tour’s trajectory could improve if WWE aligns the storylines more effectively. However, the current state of the retirement run underscores the risks involved when high-profile shifts do not meet fan expectations, leaving a prominent figure like John Cena’s send-off feeling incomplete and underwhelming.
