Washington, D.C., December 15, 2025 – John Cena, widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and WWE's most decorated champion, officially retired from in-ring competition on Saturday, December 13, 2025, following a submission loss to Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII. The event, held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marked the emotional conclusion to Cena's illustrious 24-year WWE career, which spanned from his main roster debut in 2002 to this farewell bout.
In the main event, Cena faced "The Ring General" Gunther (Walter Hahn), who had earned the opportunity by winning the "Last Time Is Now" tournament. The highly anticipated match lasted nearly 25 minutes, featuring intense exchanges, including Cena's signature Five Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment. However, Gunther secured victory by locking in a sleeper hold, forcing Cena to tap out—his first submission loss in over 20 years. The finish stunned the sold-out crowd, many of whom hoped for a triumphant send-off for the 17-time world champion.
Post-match, Cena remained in the ring, soaking in chants of "Thank you, Cena!" as current and retired WWE superstars, including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and legends like Kurt Angle and Trish Stratus, gathered ringside to pay tribute. Rhodes and Punk symbolically presented their championship belts to Cena, while a heartfelt video montage highlighted his career. Cena bowed to all four corners of the ring, kissed the mat, removed his armbands and shoes—leaving them in the ring as a symbolic gesture—and addressed the audience: "It’s been a pleasure serving you for all these years. Thank you."
Tributes flooded social media, with WWE dubbing Cena "The Greatest of All Time." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a longtime rival-turned-friend, shared a video message, and celebrities like Jelly Roll praised Cena's inspiration and role model status. The entire WWE locker room's presence underscored Cena's impact on the industry.
Cena announced his retirement plans in July 2024 at Money in the Bank, stating 2025 would be his final year of in-ring action. His farewell tour included approximately 35-40 appearances worldwide, featuring a shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber in March 2025—the first since 2003—aligning briefly with The Rock before reverting to his heroic persona. Highlights included winning his record-breaking 17th world championship by defeating Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 in April 2025, surpassing Ric Flair's longstanding mark, and completing his Grand Slam status by capturing the Intercontinental Championship from Dominik Mysterio in November 2025.
Cena's accolades are unmatched: 17 world championships, two Royal Rumble victories (2008 and 2013), and status as a Grand Slam champion (holding WWE, Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team titles). Beyond the ring, he holds the record for granting over 650 Make-A-Wish Foundation wishes—the most by any celebrity—and has transitioned successfully into Hollywood, starring in blockbuster films.
While Cena has vowed this is his final match, he signed a five-year extension to remain a WWE brand ambassador, ensuring his presence in non-wrestling capacities. Gunther's victory elevates the Austrian star, positioning him as a "legend killer" after previously retiring Goldberg.
The event, streamed on Peacock, also featured matches like Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi and Bayley vs. Sol Ruca, but Cena's farewell dominated the narrative. Fans and analysts praised the emotional depth, though some debated the loss finish, viewing it as Cena generously passing the torch to the next generation.
Cena's legacy transcends wrestling: resilience ("Never Give Up"), charisma, and philanthropy. As WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque stated, "There are no words that can truly relay how much he means to this business." Cena's retirement closes an era, but his influence endures.
