John Cena's wrestling career is scheduled to conclude with his final match in Washington D.C. on Saturday night. This event marks the culmination of a career spanning 8,570 days since his debut. Throughout his tenure, Cena secured 17 world titles and introduced the recognized catchphrase "You Can't See Me." His influence extended beyond professional wrestling, encompassing roles as a film actor and extensive philanthropic work.
Career Overview
Cena debuted in WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in June 2002 against Kurt Angle. His character evolved from a "ruthless aggression" persona to the "Doctor of Thuganomics," eventually becoming known for a "Never Give Up" attitude. Despite some audience criticism regarding his in-ring ability, Brandon Thurston, editor and owner of wrestling website Wrestlenomics, described Cena as "an exceptional wrestling talent." Thurston noted that Cena emerged as WWE's most significant economic draw between approximately 2005 and 2015, leading in pay-per-view buys, television ratings, and merchandise sales during that period.
Cena assumed a central role in WWE following the transition of prominent figures like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin to reduced schedules. WWE leadership, including then-chairman Vince McMahon, reportedly identified Cena as a reliable and hardworking individual capable of connecting with audiences, possessing strong marketability, and demonstrating long-term commitment to the industry. Following Cena's move to a reduced wrestling schedule post-2015, some observers noted a decline in the WWE product. Wrestling experts have also suggested Cena's consistent presence contributed to mitigating a downward trend in WWE ratings; average viewership for its flagship weekly Raw program decreased by one million between 2010 and 2015, to 3.7 million, according to analysis by PWtorch.
Public Image and Philanthropy
Beyond the wrestling ring, Cena has cultivated a public persona perceived as authentic. He has collaborated with brands such as Neutrogena, becoming the face of a sunscreen campaign after revealing he had received treatment for skin cancer spots. Cena also holds the Guinness World Record for granting over 650 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation for children with critical illnesses, a partnership he has maintained since 2002. Dr. Gillian Brooks, an associate professor in marketing at King's Business School, has stated that Cena's ventures, including charity work, authoring children's books, and acting, illustrate his versatility and a public image perceived as genuine.
Retirement and Final Match
Cena announced in 2024 that 2025 would be his final year as a competitor, citing the physical demands and multiple surgeries for neck, pectoral, and triceps injuries as reasons for his retirement. He has consistently stated his intention to conclude his wrestling career definitively. His "retirement run" included matches against long-standing rivals such as AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and CM Punk, as well as newer talent like Dominik Mysterio and Gunther. A "heel turn" (adopting a villainous persona) at the Elimination Chamber event in March received some criticism.
Gunther, who won "The Last Time Is Now" tournament, is scheduled to be Cena's final opponent. The match is scheduled to begin at 01:00 GMT on Sunday, December 14. It will be available for international viewing on Netflix, Peacock in the US, and WWE's official YouTube channel in the UK. Reports indicate no time limit for this non-terrestrial broadcast match. Cena has also signed a five-year agreement to serve as an ambassador for WWE.