Tag: John Cena

WASHINGTON: The 17-time WWE world champion John Cena bid an emotional farewell to in-ring competition after suffering a defeat to Gunther on Saturday here at the Capital One Arena.

At Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cena ended on the losing side to former two-time WWE heavyweight champion Gunther, bringing curtains to an illustrious 23-year career.

The farewell night featured numerous celebrities and wrestling icons, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Trish Stratus, Eve Torres, and others, who were shown seated ringside.

Moreover, the video tributes aired featured legends such as The Undertaker and The Rock, alongside sports stars including Tom Brady and Jalen Brunson.

 

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Gunther entered the ring first, followed by a thunderous ovation for Cena; however, the familiar “Cena sucks” chant was absent, replaced entirely by supportive cheers.

The 48-year-old Cena entered the wrestling arena with a camera to film himself before sprinting to the ring and greeting the legends seated at ringside.

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Nonetheless, the match saw ups and downs, with Cena delivering three Attitude Adjustments, including a dramatic top-rope version. The ace wrestler even put Gunther through the announce table.

 

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However, despite multiple attempts, John Cena was unable to secure a pinfall victory.

Eventually, Gutnerh emerged victorious at the end of the historical match, forcing Cena to submit to a sleeper hold after multiple escape attempts.

After the match, Cena, on this occasion, addressed the crowd, stating, “That’s all I’ve got”.

After this, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes joined Cena and placed their championship belts on his shoulders. As the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Cena”, he shared an embrace with Triple H before one final tribute video was shown.

Cena then made his way back to the entrance ramp, saluting the crowd, and exited the arena for one final time.

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WWE’s biggest names, including Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and CM Punk, have come together for an emotional tribute, honouring legendary John Cena as he heads into the final match of his illustrious career.

Cena, a 17-time World Champion and one of WWE’s most iconic figures, is set to wrestle for the last time on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event inside Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena.

His farewell bout will see him take on Gunther, who earned the spot by defeating LA Knight in the tournament final.

With the countdown to Cena’s retirement well underway, WWE released a heartfelt tribute video across its digital platforms, featuring emotional appearances from current stars, former rivals, legends, and even backstage crew who have worked alongside him for years.

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The video includes silent tributes, no dialogue, only mannerisms and gestures synonymous with Cena, ranging from his signature “You Can’t See Me” taunt to salutes and handwritten messages.

Among those featured were aforementioned Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, as well as Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Liv Morgan, The Miz, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and more.

Cena’s longtime cameraman, Stew, also made an appearance, adding a personal touch that resonated deeply with fans.

WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H, alongside Stephanie McMahon, also paid tribute, acknowledging Cena’s impact not just as a performer but as a locker-room leader and global ambassador.

The tribute arrives at the climax of Cena’s year-long farewell tour, one that celebrated a career spanning more than two decades, countless rivalries, and a body of work that transcended professional wrestling.

Saturday Night’s Main Event will not only celebrate Cena’s final appearance but will also showcase a packed card.

Cody Rhodes steps into the ring against NXT Champion Oba Femi, while Bayley faces Sol Ruca. The show will also feature AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater.

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The 17-time WWE world champion John Cena on Tuesday announced a new five-year deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

The star wrestler who made his debut in 2002 will bid farewell to in-ring competition on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he will take on Gunther.

Gunther booked his place in Cena’s retirement bout by defeating LA Knight in the final of “The Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

In the tournament final, Gunther and LA Knight delivered a contest worthy of its high stakes, fighting with the urgency of a championship bout.

Now, Cena has revealed his post-retirement plans during a recent interview, stating that he will serve as an ambassador for WWE.

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“I will be an ambassador [for] the WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years,” he revealed.

“I was like, ‘Please, as long as you can do it.’ I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part for as long as I can,” he added,

The 48-year-old also talked about the nature of his upcoming assignment, noting that the role will attract more people to watch wrestling.

“I’m looking forward to the second mountain of being an ambassador because maybe ambassadorship comes with letting more people know to watch this, which was my goal in the first place,” Cena explained.

For the unversed, John Cena’s fight this Saturday will mark the final chapter of a storied two-decade career, one filled with championships, era-defining rivalries, and unmatched longevity at the top.

Whether he chooses to go out with a classic victory or puts Gunther over on his way out, the match is set to be an emotional farewell.

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The 17-time WWE world champion, John Cena, will bid farewell to in-ring competition on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he will take on Gunther.

Gunther booked his place in Cena’s retirement bout by defeating LA Knight in the final of “The Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

The month-long, 16-man competition was designed to determine Cena’s last opponent, and the “Ring General” entered as the overwhelming favourite.

With his reputation as one of WWE’s most technically gifted performers, his emergence as the winner felt almost inevitable.

The Austrian powerhouse also carries the aura of a legend-ender. Earlier this year, he handed Goldberg a memorable final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

Adding Cena to that list would further cement his status as one of the defining figures of the modern era.

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For Cena, this marks the final chapter of a storied two-decade career, one filled with championships, era-defining rivalries, and unmatched longevity at the top.

Whether he chooses to go out with a classic victory or puts Gunther over on his way out, the match is set to be an emotional farewell.

In the tournament final, Gunther and LA Knight delivered a contest worthy of its high stakes, fighting with the urgency of a championship bout.

With Cena’s retirement on the line, neither man held back. Gunther eventually clamped Knight in a Rear-Naked Choke, only for Knight to claw his way out.

The “Ring General” quickly responded with a brutal Modified STF, forcing Knight to submit and sending a clear warning to Cena ahead of December 13.

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World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star John Cena has quashed the speculation surrounding his retirement, reiterating that he will make his final appearance in the ring at the end of this year.

WWE has confirmed that Cena’s final match will take place in Washington DC on Saturday, December 13.

Earlier, the veteran player had announced during the last summer that 2025 would be his final year in the ring.

However, in September, WWE Hall of Fame Bubba Ray Dudley remarked that John Cena should extend his retirement tour to WrestleMania 42.

With speculations growing about his retirement, Cena took to social media and confirmed his final appearance date, dashing the hopes of extending his WWE career.

“Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024, I announced I would retire from WWE in-ring participation,” he wrote.

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“I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time,” he said.

Meanwhile, WWE has not confirmed the 17-time champion opponent in the final match; however, reports suggest he could potentially face two-time world champion Gunther.

For the unversed, John Cena has four dates remaining before he calls time on his in-ring career.

The 48-year-old’s next appearance will be on the November 10 episode of Raw in Boston, followed by a match on the November 17 edition of Raw, and again at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 29.

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The official retirement date for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE )’s star John Cena has been announced, with the 17-time World Champion set to enter the ring for his final fight at the end of this year.

WWE has confirmed that John Cena will enter the ring for one last time on December 13, 2025, during a special edition of Saturday Night’s main event.

The veteran player had announced during the last summer that 2025 would be his final year in the ring.

This came after a new multi-year agreement between WWE and NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, a new broadcaster of Saturday Night’s main event.

The Peacock will broadcast Saturday Night’s main event four times a year, with the next two specials scheduled for November 1 and December 13.

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Following the deal, NBC Sports president Rick Cordella shared his thoughts on the deal with WWE.

“Peacock has had a wonderful relationship with WWE, and we’re excited to see it continue far into the future,” said Cordella.

“Saturday Night’s Main Event is some of the most premium content WWE produces, including John Cena’s upcoming retirement match, and it will be all live and exclusive on Peacock,” he added.

Boston’s TD Garden is reportedly the leading venue to host the farewell match of John Cena, as it is located in his home state of Massachusetts.

As John Cena retirement looms, he has just a few dates left on his farewell tour.

The 48-year-old’s next premium live event match is scheduled for August 31 in Paris, where he will face Logan Paul.

After that, John Cena is expected to headline the inaugural Wrestle Palooza event on September 20 against the returning Brock Lesnar.

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NEW JERSEY: Former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar made a thunderous return at SummerSlam 2025, attacking John Cena in the final moments of the premium live event at a packed MetLife Stadium.

Lesnar, absent from WWE programming since SummerSlam 2023, made his presence felt just as Cena was addressing the crowd following his main event loss to Cody Rhodes.

As Cena stood alone in the ring, soaking in the ovation, Lesnar’s music hit. The crowd erupted.

What followed was classic Lesnar. No words, no hesitation, just a direct march to the ring, a brief stare-down, and then a brutal F-5 that left Cena flat on the mat.

For the unversed, John Cena and Brock Lesnar share a long and storied history, dating back to their brutal showdown at Extreme Rules 2012, where Cena emerged victorious in Lesnar’s first match back.

Cena, who turned heel earlier this year by siding with The Rock at Elimination Chamber, had recently begun his redemption arc.

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Heading into SummerSlam, he had fully embraced the fans again, and his latest appearance marked a definitive return to his babyface roots. Lesnar’s assault only reinforced that transition.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes cemented his place at the top by defeating Cena to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night Two of SummerSlam.

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Legendary Ric Flair, a two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, congratulated John Cena after the veteran superstar made history by clinching a record-breaking 17th world title at WrestleMania 41.

The event, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, saw Cena defeat defending Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in the main event, surpassing Flair’s long-standing record of 16 world championship reigns.

Taking to the social media platform X, Ric Flair expressed admiration for Cena’s milestone achievement.

“Congrats to my great friend John Cena on becoming a 17x Champion! It was only a matter of time! You and Cody Rhodes put on an instant classic! Much respect! WOOOOO,” he posted.

Cena, who had previously announced that he would retire at the end of 2025, made his final WrestleMania appearance memorable by walking out as the most decorated world champion in WWE history.

Earlier this year, Cena won the Elimination Chamber to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 41. The build-up to the event took a dramatic turn when Cena turned heel, attacking Rhodes alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and rapper Travis Scott.

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For the first time in years, Cena entered WrestleMania with no colourful attire or elaborate lighting. Instead, the entrance featured a black screen with his name and signature theme song, symbolising a ruthless change in persona.

The match itself was filled with high drama and frequent momentum shifts. Rhodes initially countered Cena’s trademark Five Knuckle Shuffle with a Cody Cutter.

John Cena responded with multiple Attitude Adjustments (AAs), one of which followed a drop toehold that halted Rhodes’ attempt at a Bionic Elbow tribute.

Rhodes managed to survive several near-falls and even connected with his finishing move, Cross Rhodes. However, with the referee temporarily down, the pinfall could not be counted.

Cena capitalised on the chaos, exposing the turnbuckle and slamming Rhodes’ head into it before landing a fourth AA. Rhodes again kicked out, showcasing his resilience.

With the win, John Cena officially surpassed Ric Flair’s record to become the most decorated world champion in WWE history, securing his 17th title reign in what could be his final WrestleMania appearance.

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INDIANAPOLIS: WWE wrestler Jey Uso achieved his first-ever Royal Rumble victory by eliminating all-time wrestling great John Cena on Saturday.

The 16-time world Champion Cena and the former Intercontinental Champion Joshua Samuel Fatu (Jey Uso) were the final two contenders for the 30-man Royal Rumble match.

Uso entered the match at number 20 while Cena was the 23rd to enter the rumble ring.

During the rumble, the former wrestling champion was on the cusp of victory after hurling Uso over the ropes, but Jey Uso somehow held on and narrowly avoided elimination.

The two WWE wrestlers were involved in an intense fight which led to the exchanging of punches outside the ropes before Cena attempted his signature Attitude Adjustment.

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Uso, however, fought back and pushed Cena over the top rope to seal his first Royal Rumble triumph.

The main event which was held in Indianapolis, paved the way for WrestleMania 41, with Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair (Women’s Royal Rumble Match winner) emerging victorious in their respective Rumble matches.

Meanwhile, the match also saw some interesting entries, intense action and surprise eliminations.

The first two Royal Rumble entries were off Rey Mysterio and Penta, who kicked off the match with a fast-paced sequence.

Furthermore, the biggest surprise of the evening was when IShowSpeed, a YouTube sensation, entered the Rumble and briefly teamed up with Bron Breakker before losing.

The final three wrestlers in the ring were Jey Uso, John Cena, and Logan Paul before Uso emerged victorious in the dramatic final moments of a tense fight.

With the victories of Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair, they are now set for championship matches at WrestleMania 41 which will be held on 19 and 20 April this year.

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World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) legend John Cena kicked off his farewell tour on Monday and announced his entry into the upcoming Royal Rumble 2025.

Cena made his return on the WWE RAW’s historic debut show on Netflix in Los Angeles to a massive ovation.

“If you know anything about me, nothing’s impossible,” Cena declared passionately. “The only time we say ‘never’ around here is when we say, ‘Never give up.'”

“Los Angeles, I owe you a thank you. Because of you, I’m not just going to the Royal Rumble—I’m going to win the Royal Rumble. You want some? Come get some!”

The Royal Rumble 2025 is scheduled to take place on February 1 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Cena has expressed his aim to win the main event and headline WrestleMania.

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It’s worth noting that John Cena is currently tied with “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair a record — 16 world championships.

“As far as the 17th championship is concerned, it’s never going to happen,” Cena teased before correcting himself.

“Wait, hold on—this is the WWE, and here, you’re supposed to never say never. So let’s move ‘never’ away and say it would take a miracle. And maybe, just maybe, I can win the Royal Rumble,” he added.

For the unversed, in July last year, the iconic superstar made a surprise return at the Money in the Bank event, held in Toronto, Canada, where he announced that 2025 would be his final year as a full-time WWE wrestler.

John Cena, who debuted in WWE in 2002, will participate in all major events in 2025 as part of his farewell tour before concluding his historic career at the end of the year.

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