John Cena announced Saturday night that he will retire from professional wrestling next year after two decades in the ring.
The wrestler-turned-actor gave a heartfelt speech to a packed stadium of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fans in Toronto, who booed in disappointment when John 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 vowed to stay involved with the wrestling franchise that launched his career.
“Thank you so much for letting me play in the house you built for so many years,” he told the crowd.
At a press conference after the event, John Cena told reporters that he felt physically like he was nearing the end of his career, but that didn’t mean he had to step away from the sport he loves.
John Cena is a 16-time WWE Champion who burst onto the scene in the early 2000s as the “Doctor of Thuganomics,” a rapper persona decked out in gold chains and a backwards cap who challenged his wrestling opponents to rap battles. He went on to portray other popular personas, both in the ring and on the silver screen.
His film credits include starring in the films “Blockers” and “Suicide Squad.” He has made several appearances in the “Fast and Furious” franchise and most recently appeared in the comedy sensation “Argylle” and the box-office hit “Barbie.”