One of the most shocking announcements to come out of professional wrestling in 2024 happened at Money in the Bank.
WWE legend John Cena made a surprise visit to announce that he will be retiring from in-ring action.
However, Cena revealed that he wouldn’t just have one retirement match. Instead, all of 2025 would be dedicated to the John Cena Retirement Tour.
Now, fans have an idea on who John Cena’s first opponent is.
Or should we say opponents?
Chris Ryan/Corbis
On Nov. 13, Cena was featured on WWE’s social media page holding a towel that read “The Last Time is Now.”
“Those are strong words,” Cena said. “‘The last time is now.’ In 2025, there will be a myriad of history-making events. The last time I will ever compete in a Royal Rumble event is Feb. 1. Lucasoil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. And you wanna make sure you’re there!”
The Royal Rumble is one of the most exciting matches in all of professional wresting. Cena has famously had a good showing at the event, winning it in 2008 and 2013.
Given that it’s his last year in WWE as a wrestler, expect Cena to give another excellent performance in 2025.
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John Cena is, without a doubt, one of the most prolific professional wrestlers in the history of the business.
Cena made his professional wrestling debut in 1999 in Ultimate Pro Wrestling before joining WWE’s developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2001. He made his WWE television debut on June 27, 2002, answering an open challenge by Kurt Angle.
He soon adopted the Doctor of Thuganomics persona, becoming popular with the crowd by performing rapping promos. This popularity would soon put Cena in the main event picture, challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship.
Cena would eventually win his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 against JBL. He would then go on to have one of the most successful runs in professional wrestling history.
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In his 24-year tenure with WWE, Cena has won the WWE Championship 13 times, the World Heavyweight Championship three times, the WWE United States Championship five times, and four tag team championships.
Along with his two Royal Rumble victories, Cena also won the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2012.
Needless to say, the WWE is going to look a lot different with the 47-year-old superstar out of the picture. And the Royal Rumble will be the perfect way to kick off his retirement tour.
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