John Cena has officially retired from WWE.
The announcement came dramatically at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Cena faced “The Ring General,” widely regarded as the standard-bearer of WWE’s modern era.
After nearly 25 minutes of relentless action, Cena tapped out for the first time in over two decades, marking the end of his in-ring career and the closing of a remarkable 24-year journey.
In his final moments, Cena thanked the audience: “I want to say thank you for letting me play in the house that you built for so many years. Thank you so much for allowing me to be here with you tonight.”
He placed his sneakers and wristbands in the centre of the ring as a symbolic farewell.
Fans held placards reading “We love Cena” and “You will be missed”, while chants of “Thank you, Cena” echoed through the arena.
WWE stars including Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Triple H, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, and Rhea Ripley paid tribute with signs reading “Thank You John” and “We See You”, referencing his iconic slogan.
Some performed his signature dances and gestures as videos of his career played. Champions CM Punk and Cody Rhodes raised their titles in salute to Cena’s legacy.
On social media, fans equally shared their tributes.
Nigerian Tarzan wrote, “That man did a lot for professional wrestling y’all don’t know. This was every child’s hero.”
Teejay added, “Well, our childhood is officially over, I guess we can finally say we are old.”
Lexie Armani said, “Thank you king. You made my childhood awesome,” while Gontae posted, “Haven’t cried that much in years.”
The 48-year-old had announced last year that 2025 would be his final year as an active wrestler.
He leaves with one of WWE’s most impressive records: 17-time World Champion, 5-time United States Champion, 4-time Tag Team Champion, 2-time Royal Rumble winner, and Intercontinental Champion.
Cena’s career began in 2002 on SmackDown.
He quickly made a name for himself as the “Doctor of Thuganomics,” using freestyle rap to carve out a unique identity.
By the mid-2000s, he was WWE’s top star, headlining major events, boosting TV ratings, and dominating merchandise sales.
His “Never Give Up” mantra became a symbol of perseverance, inspiring young fans and extending his influence beyond wrestling.
Cena now leaves WWE as one of its most recognisable and influential stars, with a legacy firmly intact and a blueprint for generations to come.