John Cena Announces Retirement from Wrestling
John Cena has announced that he will retire from professional wrestling next year after more than 20 years in the ring.
The wrestler-turned-actor gave a speech to a stadium of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans in Toronto, who booed in disappointment as Cena said the 2025 season would be his last.
He promised a farewell tour with dozens of dates and an epic final fight, and he told fans he would remain involved with the wrestling franchise that launched his career.
"Thank you so much for letting me play in the house that you built for so many years," Cena told the crowd.
In a news conference after the event, the 47-year-old told reporters that he feels physically "at my end," but that doesn't mean he needs to move away completely from the sport he loves.
Cena is a 16-time WWE champion who burst onto the scene in the early 2000s as the fan-favorite "Doctor of Thuganomics," a rapper character wearing gold chains and a backwards hat who challenged other wrestlers to rap battles.
He went on to portray other popular characters, both in the ring and on the big screen.
Cena played starring roles in the films Blockers and The Suicide Squad. He has made multiple appearances in the Fast and Furious movies and appeared most recently in the comedy thriller Argylle and the box office hit Barbie.
He is also a Guinness World Record holder, having granted the most Make-a-Wish wishes for seriously ill children.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps to grant wishes for children who are very unwell. It gives children the opportunity to do things like meet their favorite celebrity or go to a special event.
Cena granted his 650th wish in July 2022 and typically wears his championship belts on such occasions.
Guinness World Records says he is the most requested celebrity, having granted his first wish in 2002.
