WWE is losing a legend to retirement.
Sixteen-time world champion John Cena announced his exit from sports entertainment with a heartfelt spiel on WWE’s Money in the Bank in Toronto.
Cena called it the perfect spot to announce his decision.
Cena went on to assure fans he’ll be around when WWE makes the jump to Netflix next year.
“That is history; that is a first, and I will be there,” he said to a raucous response from the crowd.
Cena’s exit won’t be immediately, either. Cena said he’ll compete at next year’s Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and of course Wrestlemania.
BREAKING NEWS: John Cena announced at #MITB he will retire from in-ring competition in 2025.#ThankYouCena pic.twitter.com/6TPnYI5iU2
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2024
The crowd serenaded the wrestler with chants of “Thank you Cena.”
Speaking to USA Today, Cena later clarified that he’d be involved “integrally” with the sports entertainment league as it seeks to strike a new path without longtime chairman Vince McMahon, who is dealing with several lawsuits relating to allegations of disturbing sexual misconduct.
“But as far as in-ring and falling down and taking an ass-whooping, the clock is limited on that one,” Cena said.
Cena debuted with WWE in 2002, though his first dominant schtick was a “trash-talking rapper when he was nicknamed ‘Doctor of Thuganomics,'” livenowfox.com reported.
Cena is currently 47 years old.
