John Cena said he chose to retire from WWE in-ring competition because he was getting older and slower and felt his wrestling skills were declining. He wanted to decide on his own terms, give fans advance notice and make his farewell meaningful rather than keep returning year after year. His announcement was about wrestling in the ring—not a complete departure from WWE.
What reasons did Cena give for retiring?
In an interview recorded on August 13, 2024, Cena described the physical changes he felt were affecting his performances: “My skill level continues to drop every year. I’m a little bit slower, I’m a little bit older, but I still have enough to like go, barely.” The AP Archive published the interview recording on August 19, 2024: AP Archive.
He also said he had discussed retirement with WWE for a long time. At the July 2024 press conference, he described himself as “physically at [his] end,” according to TIME’s July 7, 2024 report. These are Cena’s public explanations; they do not establish private medical details.
Why announce the decision in advance?
Cena wanted fans to know what was coming and to have a substantial farewell, rather than see him announce retirement and then return year after year. In the AP Archive interview, he said he wanted to “do something big and grand” and give fans “a heads up like a six month ahead of time.”
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He connected that choice to his relationship with the audience. “I’ve built a great rapport with the WWE fans. Love me or hate me. I think we have a trusting, authentic rapport,” he said, adding that his word mattered. The point, as he presented it, was to make a promise to fans and stand by it.
When did Cena announce his retirement, and when was his final match?
Cena announced at Money in the Bank in Toronto on July 6, 2024, that 2025 would be his final year of WWE in-ring competition. WWE later billed the farewell as The Last Time Is Now John Cena Farewell Tour in a July 8, 2024 release.
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On September 30, 2025, WWE announced that his final match would headline Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The company said the year-long tour included WrestleMania 41 and SummerSlam. WWE’s announcement said that event would stream in primetime exclusively on Peacock; that event-specific statement does not establish streaming rights in every region or for other events. Details appeared in WWE’s final-match announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Cena leaving WWE entirely?
No. The retirement he announced was from performing in the ring. Contemporaneous coverage reported that he was done as an in-ring performer while distinguishing that from remaining connected with WWE. He was not announcing a complete departure from the company.
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