John Cena made the announcement on Saturday night that he will be retiring from professional wrestling next year, after a remarkable two-decade career in the ring.
The former wrestler turned actor addressed a stadium full of World Wrestling Entertainment fans in Toronto, who expressed their disappointment with boos as Cena revealed that the 2025 season would be his final one. He promised a farewell tour with numerous dates and an epic final fight, and reassured fans that he would continue to be involved with the wrestling franchise that kickstarted his career.
“Thank you for allowing me to perform in the house that you built for so many years,” Cena expressed to the audience.
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In a press conference following the event, Cena shared with reporters that he believes he has reached his physical limit, but that does not mean he will be distancing himself from the sport that he loves.
Cena, a 16-time WWE champion, first rose to fame in the early 2000s as the beloved “Doctor of Thuganomics,” a rapper persona adorned with gold chains and a backward hat, who famously challenged his wrestling adversaries to rap battles. He later took on other popular roles, both in the ring and on the silver screen.
Cena has played leading roles in movies such as “Blockers” and “The Suicide Squad.” He has also appeared in multiple installments of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, most recently starring in the comedy thriller “Argylle” and the commercially successful film “Barbie.”
