World Wrestling Entertainment legend John Cena has officially retired from professional wrestling after a career that spanned 24 years, bringing the curtain down on his time in the ring at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC.
Cena made his final appearance in front of over 19,000 fans at the Capital One Arena, where he lost to World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, submitting in a dramatic farewell match.
The 47-year-old, who is the most decorated wrestler in WWE history, tapped out after being locked in repeated sleeper holds by Gunther. It was only the fourth time Cena has submitted in his career and his first tap-out loss in 21 years, the last being against Kurt Angle in 2004.
During the bout, Cena attempted his famous moves, including the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment, but could not overcome Gunther’s sustained pressure. After the match ended, Gunther quietly exited the ring as several WWE superstars came out to honour Cena.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk stepped into the ring and handed Cena their championship belts, allowing him to wear them one final time as the crowd applauded.
However, emotions ran high when WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque appeared, as some fans chanted angrily in protest over the outcome of Cena’s farewell match.
A tribute video was later played, featuring highlights from Cena’s long career and appearances from wrestlers he worked with over the years, including archive footage of former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
In an emotional moment, Cena removed his shoes and sweatbands and left them in the middle of the ring, a traditional symbol of retirement in wrestling. He then took a final bow, walked up the entrance ramp, and interacted with fans.
As the show came to an end, Cena looked into the camera and delivered his final words.
“It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you,” he said.
Cena’s retirement match was the second farewell bout Gunther has ended in 2025, having also defeated Bill Goldberg earlier in the year.
The final appearance capped a memorable and dramatic year for Cena. In March, he shocked fans by turning heel for the first time in his WWE career at the Elimination Chamber event.
He later defeated Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania to win the Undisputed WWE title, becoming a 17-time world champion and breaking the long-standing record. Rhodes eventually regained the title at SummerSlam, while Cena’s last title reign came after beating Dominik Mysterio in his hometown of Boston.
With his exit, Cena leaves behind a legacy as one of WWE’s greatest stars, known for his championships, longevity, and impact on sports entertainment.
