John Cena concluded his illustrious wrestling career on December 13, bringing an end to his “Never Give Up” persona with a poignant moment of surrender. Gunther secured a submission victory over Cena, marking the close of an era. Among those watching was Oba Femi, a rising WWE talent who had hoped to be entrusted with the honor of being Cena’s retirement opponent.
During an interview on No-Contest Wrestling, Femi expressed his disappointment at never having faced Cena inside the ring. When rumors circulated about the possibility of him being the wrestler to retire the 17-time world champion, Femi’s hopes grew. However, the opportunity ultimately slipped away.
“I really wanted to work with John. I was really hoping and praying, ‘Don’t go, don’t go too fast.’ But he did. I was really hoping to 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 was really hoping that would happen, but it didn’t,” said Oba Femi. [H/T WrestleTalk]
A Memorable Debut Coincided With Cena’s Farewell
Femi also reflected on the significance of his first main roster appearance occurring on the very night Cena retired. He likened it to a symbolic passing of the torch—almost as if a new version of Cena had emerged. Competing on such an iconic program as Saturday Night’s Main Event was an extraordinary honor for the young wrestler, underscoring his growing place within WWE.
John Cena’s Humble Moment After the Retirement Match
Following the conclusion of the event, Cena returned to the locker room where Femi and other peers gathered. Instead of holding himself apart as a global superstar, Cena shared a celebratory toast and took photos with fellow wrestlers. This display of humility left a strong impression on Femi, who appreciated Cena’s down-to-earth nature despite his legendary status and Hollywood success.
“After the show, John came back to the locker room – big star, big shot John Cena – he came back to the locker room with all the boys, and he shared one last toast and took shots with us, and I’m glad that I got to be a part of that. It really showed how humble he was, no matter how big he got in WWE or in Hollywood, he was, at his core, still just one of the boys. So respect to John.” [H/T WrestleTalk]
Guidance From The Greatest of All Time Left a Mark on Femi
Beyond the ring, Cena also provided mentorship to Oba Femi. The former NXT Champion revealed that Cena frequently offered constructive feedback and encouragement, helping him refine his skills. While Femi never got the retirement match he wished for, he remains grateful to have had a meaningful relationship with one of wrestling’s all-time greats.
What Cena’s Retirement Means for WWE’s Future
John Cena’s departure from active competition marks a critical transition point for WWE. As iconic stars like Cena step aside, younger wrestlers such as Oba Femi are tasked with rising to the occasion and carrying the company forward. Cena’s humility and willingness to mentor emerging talent signal a promising future, where experience blends with fresh energy in the ring. For fans and wrestlers alike, the legacy of “The Greatest of All Time” will continue to inspire the evolution of WWE programming and storytelling.
