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WWE legend John Cena has retired from professional wrestling, bringing the curtain down on a 24-year in-ring career after his final match at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
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‎Cena bowed out at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he faced Gunther in his farewell bout.
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‎The 48-year-old was defeated after being forced to submit to a sleeper hold in a contest that lasted just under 25 minutes, ending one of the most decorated careers in WWE history.
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‎Fans inside the arena watched in disbelief as Gunther relentlessly kept Cena locked in the hold during the closing moments of the match, despite loud chants urging the veteran to fight on.
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‎When Cena eventually tapped out, some supporters were seen in tears.
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‎The ending stunned fans, as Cena, long known for never tapping out during his career, was forced to submit for the first time, finally giving in to Gunther’s sleeper hold.
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‎After the bell rang, wrestlers from the WWE locker room emerged to honour him.
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‎Cena then left his wristbands and boots in the ring — a traditional sign of retirement — before walking up the entrance ramp, turning back and offering a final salute to the crowd and cameras.
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‎Cena retires as a 17-time world champion, the most title reigns recognised by WWE.
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‎He also headlined WrestleMania on six occasions and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
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‎His trademark “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase became one of the most recognisable slogans in sports entertainment.
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‎He debuted in WWE in 2002, losing to Kurt Angle, and initially struggled to establish himself as a singles star.
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‎His career turned around after he adopted the “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona, a character known for freestyle rap promos, which quickly made him a fan favourite.
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‎Beyond wrestling, Cena successfully crossed over into Hollywood, becoming one of the few WWE stars to enjoy sustained success as a film actor.
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‎Cena had announced at the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event on July 6, 2024, that he would retire from in-ring competition at the end of 2025.
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‎His retirement tour officially began at the Royal Rumble in January, where he was eliminated by Jey Uso.
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‎He later shocked fans by turning heel — a villain persona — for the first time since 2003 at Elimination Chamber on March 1.
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‎Cena went on to win his record-breaking 17th world title by defeating Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania in April, before dropping both the title and the villainous persona to Rhodes at SummerSlam in August.
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‎A tournament was subsequently organised to determine Cena’s final opponent, with Gunther emerging winner and earning the right to face him at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
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‎Speaking after the event, current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes struggled to hold back his emotions as he reflected on Cena’s impact.
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‎”“It’s just still like, when it’s that good you don’t want it to end and I know that’s vague but he did everything by the book and taught so many people and set such a high standard, such a high bar,” Rhodes said.

Source: https://punchng.com/john-cena-retires-from-wwe-after-24-year-career/[b][/b]

Cena is my favorite of all time, Fans are going to miss him so much.

I wish him gudluck.

One of my least favorite wrestlers of all time...

I hate his fights. He is just a show man. I like a few of his movies though.

Good riddance...I mean Happy retirement. Truth is I don't really care anyway.

On the side wrestling really takes a toll on these folks. At 48 he looks 62 already. I saw big show and great Kali recently and they are looking unrecognizable old!

WWE: John Cena's Top 5 matches

Dec. 12 (UPI) -- John Cena, the record-breaking 17-time WWE world heavyweight champion, will be having his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13, 2025. After the event, Cena has promised fans that they will never see him compete inside the squared circle ever again. Here's a look back at Cena's greatest matches while competing in WWE, from his memorable debut in 2002 to now.

5. John Cena vs. Kurt Angle at SmackDown on June 27, 2002

This is John Cena's debut match in WWE, and while it's not the most technically impressive bout or Cena's best performance, it remains one of the most memorable debuts in wrestling history.

Angle, a real-life Olympic gold medalist and a WWE Hall of Famer, held an open challenge on this particular episode of SmackDown that was answered by a young and fresh Cena. The wrestler turned Hollywood star confidently marched down to the ring wearing red and black trunks to generic rock music in order to accept Angle's challenge.

The moment that will be replayed by WWE for years to come featured Cena staring Angle down as he was asked why he thought he had a chance against the gold medalist.

"Ruthless aggression," Cena responded as he slapped Angle in the now iconic moment, a reference to former WWE head Vince McMahon, who had previously said he wanted to see ruthless aggression from his roster of grapplers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ivQ3ogO1M?si=BxTohpfM7Ch9C-uF

Cena was unable to defeat Angle, but he helped usher in what is known as the ruthless aggression era of WWE. Very few in WWE have had such an iconic debut.

4. John Cena vs. Edge in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the WWE Championship at Unforgiven 2006

One of Cena's greatest rivals was the Rated-R Superstar Edge with this hard-hitting TLC bout standing as their greatest encounter.

The odds were stacked against Cena as he had to take on his rival in his hometown of Toronto in a match that Edge helped to popularize.

The rivalry between Cena and Edge always kept fans engaged and entertained, as the Rated-R Superstar pulled out all the stops. Edge memorably invaded Cena's childhood home and assaulted his dad, leading to high tensions as Unforgiven arrived.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu4jZEP-fpc?si=yGJ8ujVcKQAdlMKs

Cena proved that he could perform at a high level in a chaotic match like TLC and re-captured the WWE Championship after memorably sending Edge into two tables with an Attitude Adjustment from the top of the ladder.

3. John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 28 in 2012

Cena and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson feuded for a full year before their epic clash at WrestleMania 28, culminating in perhaps Cena's biggest match of his career.

Outside of the sheer spectacle of Cena actually getting to face The Rock - a meeting of wrestling mega stars from different eras - the bout is a highly-entertaining contest that featured all of their signature moves that played to the passionate crowd in Miami.

Cena and The Rock delivered something truly epic, a wrestling version of a summer blockbuster movie. In dramatic fashion, Cena had the match won until his hubris got the best of him. Cena poked fun at the Rock's signature move, The People's Elbow, goofily performing the maneuver before The Rock recovered and earned the three count with a Rock Bottom.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICquGgwWUeM?si=8C5bCjO0dmX-EVO-

Despite Cena losing, it remains one of the marquee matches that was seen by millions around the world. The pair ended up having a rematch at WrestleMania 29, but nothing could top this grand first meeting between two of WWE's legendary figures on its biggest stage.

2. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels at Raw on April 23, 2007

Another meeting of WWE legends, Cena's second match against Shawn Michaels is still regarded as one of the greatest bouts in the over 30-year history of Monday Night Raw.

What gives this bout legendary status is how Cena and Michaels battled for nearly an hour in a roller coaster of a match.

Cena proved to a lot of doubters that he couldn't wrestle or hang with the greats like Michaels, and showed that he did belong at the top of the card.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqHHh4blQLo?si=ggAdtpzTGkoa8BsE

Cena lost after taking a Sweet Chin Music, but he won dedicated wrestling fans over by showing his grit and delivering a truly impressive performance. Not many wrestlers can keep an audience engaged for an hour, but Cena proved that he could.

1. John Cena vs. CM Punk at Raw on February 25, 2013

CM Punk is simply Cena's greatest rival, and this match remains their best encounter as they fought for the right to challenge The Rock for the WWE Championship.

What sets this match apart from Cena and Punk's iconic meeting at Money in the Bank 2011 is how it subverted expectations and paid homage to their fabled rivalry over the years. As Punk has said himself, he is The Joker to Cena's Batman, and this match is the best example of that dichotomy.

Punk shocked fans when he performed the piledriver on Cena, a long-banned move that was deemed too dangerous to use. The moment showed just how far each of them would go to win the match.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbfeCUJXfs?si=AuAdIq_ttwlX7I-x

Cena and Punk always brought out the best in each other, with Cena then shocking fans by performing a Frankensteiner, a move the 17-time champion had never done before. Cena then earned the three-count with one last Attitude Adjustment to cap off his best match against his greatest rival.

WWE is a made up wrestling. Not real.

I stopped watching when The Undertaker streak ended

This one hurts for real.
An entire generation grew up with “You Can’t See Me.”
Cena didn’t just wrestle, he defined an era. End of a legend

The way he ended his career sucks, though WWE is scripted, they allowed him to hold all the titles in WWE his last one being intercontinental champion.

He is a role model to people though.

Cena my man
Congratulations!
24 years no be beans

No be small thing at all..

Goodluck to him..

Orlandoo:
WWE is a made up wrestling. Not real.

Most people know

That’s why it’s called Entertainment

John Cena the show man. WWE made a whole using him.

You can’t see me!


No comment; next question

WWE, one of the scam of the century, pure acting and entertainment

He was a good actor and I enjoyed his episodes.




I can't believe when I was kidnapped I thought WWE is real🤣😂😂😂

Happy retirement John Cena

Cena wey no sabi fight... Mtchewww

Congratulations to him on a successful career in the industry. He should take time to learn action movies from Dwayne Johnson now🤣🤣

I hardly watch wrestling in recent years, but back then I really enjoyed John Cena act on the ring. I see him more in movies recently.

I love wrestling while growing up but outgrew it almost two decades ago when it became a show (performing art) rather than a sport. John Cena was one of my last favourite wrestlers and it's only reasonable that he retires. Saw a recent video of him - guy can hardly stand straight. Very obvious his health is not great

John Cena,my all favorite wrestler wish you the best in your next endeavor, happy retirement you can see me.

Juanmike:
I stopped watching when The Undertaker streak ended

the Deadman .
Me too,I hated Brock Lesnar for that

the best.I like his signature short knickers jeans

he looks like azog the defiler from LOTR

He finally gave up in his final match.
Disappointing to say the least.

Farewell with all his money and fame i don't even know why he doesn't want to settle down and have his own kids like everyone else?

Orlandoo:
WWE is a made up wrestling. Not real.

When you write out the meaning of WWE then you have your answer—World Wrestling Entertainment. They are trained professionals and ensure to exaggerate impact—while ensuring they met little to no injuries on each other.

ECW was banned because of too much physicalities, if you look at ECW wrestler like Sabu who was cut countlessly from the use of barbed wires, it becomes clear why wrestling has to be about entertainment.

And for the part of scripting; Do you know how boring it will be if things are not scripted? The scripting adds emotions and enables them monetize storylines through ticket sales.

Orlandoo:
WWE is a made up wrestling. Not real.

I don't think it's all the matches.

He's better of acting movies than fighting in the ring.
Congratulations on a successful carrier in wrestling.

You can't see me......xxxxxxxx

Mrexcell:
I don't think it's all the matches.

They are all scripted, if not some would be unnecessarily long and boring. Communications are made on the ring and almost all enemity are feigned.search for “undertaker and Kane discussing while fighting” on YouTube.

But he is still acting as peace maker. Long time i watched that series.