John Cena Confirms He Will Never Wrestle Again
When John Cena stepped into the spotlight on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” he didn’t leave room for fanfare or speculation. Every rumor about a return after that date? Consider them ended. Cena declared he is “100 percent absolutely done” as an in-ring performer.
This is not just another “farewell tour.” This is a full stop. A final chapter. Cena is asking fans and skeptics alike to accept it, because when the curtain drops, that’s exactly what will happen.
Cena’s Final Curtain Call Is Real This Time
For decades, wrestling retirements have held about the same weight as a season finale cliffhanger — with plenty of room for a surprise return. Not so in Cena’s case. During his Kimmel appearance, he was unequivocal: his last in-ring performance will be on December 13 on Peacock. No qualifiers, no “maybe someday,” no infinite possible returns.
He delivered a cold, hard fact: his final match will take place on December 13, 2025, at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME), and that will be it. No comebacks. No future surprises even invited skeptics to call him a liar should he ever step back into the ring. A bold move, but one that underscores just how serious he is about walking away.
Cena explained he opted for this path because he feels fans deserve honesty and closure. After 23 years in the business, fans have let him into their lives, week in and week out. He owes them more than a faded goodbye. He owes them a definitive end.
Why Cena Chose December 13, And What It Means
This isn’t a random date or symbolic nod. December 13 isn’t just the final match on his farewell tour. It’s the last entry in the ledger, the final line. For the first time in WWE history, a megastar of Cena’s stature is opting for a clean exit. No “one more match” later. No open-ended “maybe.” Just a final send-off.
The undecided opponent adds extra intrigue. Whoever wins the battle between Gunther and LA Knight will join Cena in the ring for his swan song. That uncertainty, combined with the certainty of Cena’s retirement, makes the event a high-stakes farewell, not just for Cena, but for the era he represents.
On top of that, Cena pitched the idea to make the SNME card more than just a farewell match. His vision: showcase rising stars from WWE NXT alongside established main-roster talents, giving the next generation a moment in the spotlight. If all goes as planned, the evening will signal not just an end, but a new beginning for WWE.
For Fans Who Are Still Hoping: Cena Says Don’t
Skepticism has followed Cena’s farewell tour from the start. “This has never been done before,” he said. “WWE superstars don’t necessarily retire, they kind of hang on for one more match.”
He warned fans directly: if you’re expecting him to show up again after December 13, you will not get the closure you crave. “I just hope people can come to grips with that,” he said on Kimmel.
Given his history of being a relentless competitor and knowing how much Cena values his word, it’s hard to imagine anyone publicly doubting this final decision. He’s been clear, consistent, and resolute.
What This Means For WWE And Its Future
Cena’s exit isn’t just about ending one star’s career. It marks the closing of a chapter in WWE history. He has been the face of multiple eras: post-Attitude, Ruthless Aggression, PG Era, and part-timer era. He carried the company through countless transitions, headlined major events, and walked with the confidence of a champion.
Now the stage is being passed forward. With the final match card featuring rising NXT stars, Cena is using his farewell as a launchpad for the next generation. It’s fitting, after all, WWE will continue without him, evolving beyond the man who spent more than two decades pulling powerful promos, delivering finishing moves, and issuing the iconic challenge: “You can’t see me.”
For older fans, it will be tough to watch. For younger fans, it’s an opportunity to watch WWE re-reinvent itself — maybe for the first time in a very long time. What we’ll end up with is not just the end of a legend, but the start of something new.
