‘There is no chance’: John Cena lifts the lid on WWE retirement as final stop on farewell tour arrives
The year-long John Cena retirement tour will officially come to an end this weekend, as the WWE legend bows out after a career spanning over two decades.
Regarded as one of professional wrestling’s all-time greats and undisputed biggest stars, Cena has travelled across the globe in 2025 to farewell fans, touching down in multiple countries including Australia, France, England Saudi Arabia and USA.
But for the final time on Sunday (AEDT), the 48-year-old will lace up the boots and throw on his famous jorts in what will be his final match inside the squared circle.
READ MORE: Golden Boot ‘robbery’ explained as Grant voted over rivals
READ MORE: Jordan celebrates as NASCAR legal battle abruptly settles
READ MORE: England greats defend Noosa trip despite ‘tone deaf’ comments
While he acknowledges many wrestling fans find it hard to believe someone can ever fully retire from the business, Cena is adamant the chapter will close for good.
“I love that [people think I will return] and I don’t knock them for that, because this has never been done before,” he told Insight with Chris Van Vliet this week.
John Cena will retire this weekend WWE via Getty Images
“Wrestlers don’t retire, so to be the first one there’s going to be some scepticism.
“There is no chance. WrestleMania will come and go and that’s when unfortunately, the people who have an idea in their head … might not get the closure they want. I urge everybody just to lean in – December 13th is my last match in the ring and you don’t have to believe it, but WrestleManias will come and go and I will not be active.
“For a lot of folks, it’s tough to turn off the switch, because it’s where they feel most at home and they feel lost without it.
“I’ve given 15 months to everybody to say that we are winding this thing down. I don’t want to, but I have to and I can’t change anybody’s mind out there. I love wrestling with all my heart, but it is not who I am and it doesn’t define me as a person.
“If you view me as a wrestler and that’s how you know me, that’s great because it got me to where I am – but I think it’s important that I know, just because I don’t have this in my life, it’s not all that I am and that is proof to why I’m gonna stay retired.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the WWE legend’s final match.
When is John Cena’s final match?
John Cena’s final match will be on Sunday, December 14 (AEDT) during the Saturday Night’s Main Event card.
What time does John Cena’s final match start in Australia?
John Cena during his final Australian appearance WWE via Getty Images
Saturday Night’s Main Event will begin at 12pm AEDT on Sunday, December 14
At this stage, it is not clear when John Cena’s match will be on the card, but it’s likely the 17-time world champion will close the show.
How to watch John Cena’s final match in Australia
John Cena’s final match will be available to stream live on WWE’s YouTube channel.
The event will begin at 12pm AEDT.
Where is John Cena’s final match?
Despite initially being rumoured for his home town of Boston, the final match of John Cena’s WWE career will take place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
Who is John Cena wrestling in his final match?
Gunther will face John Cena this weekend WWE via Getty Images
In the final match of his WWE career, John Cena will be squaring off against Gunther.
The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in history and former two-time world champion won a 16-man tournament for the opportunity to face Cena.
John Cena’s final match full card
Saturday Night’s Main Event will not just feature the retirement match for John Cena, but also a host of other WWE stars.
Cena’s request was for the card to include rising stars from the NXT developmental program taking on seasoned main roster wrestlers, showcasing the future of the company to fans tuning in to see the legend in action for the last time.
The full card for Saturday Night’s Main Event will be:
- John Cena vs Gunther
- Cody Rhodes vs Oba Femi
- Bayley vs Sol Ruca
- AJ Styles/Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans/Leon Slater
Oba Femi will be featured as part of the event WWE via Getty Images
Why is John Cena retiring?
At 48 years of age, John Cena’s career has been winding down for many years and as he juggles commitments in Hollywood, has mostly worked a part-time WWE schedule.
This year, Cena has worked 35 dates and the event on Sunday will be his 36th, bringing an end to a year-long retirement tour that has gone across the globe.
Cena has expressed his desire to hang up the boots while he is still able to physically compete at a high level, giving fans fond memories of his work inside the ring.
However, he has denied that his in-ring career was ending on his “own terms” in multiple interviews.
“That is bullshit,” he said on The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“I want to do it forever. I never want to let that go. But my body hurts, I’m a step slower. I promised myself and the fanbase that when I am a step slower, I am out.”
Who is the favourite to win John Cena’s final match?
At this stage, Gunther is the favourite to defeat John Cena in his final match.
How long has John Cena been wrestling for?
John Cena started his professional wrestling career in 1998 with independent promotion Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) and signed with WWE’s developmental system in 2001.
He made his main roster WWE debut against Kurt Angle in June 2002.
Who is considered the greatest wrestler of all time?
John Cena celebrates his 17th world title Getty
Pro wrestling is far more subjective and harder to judge regarding who the ‘greatest’ might be.
The likes of Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and The Rock were all larger than life superstars who became household names across the globe, while Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Bryan Danielson are considered among the greatest in-ring wrestlers.
However, after surpassing the record held for many years by the legendary Ric Flair with a 17th world title, many believe John Cena is the greatest of all-time.
