John Cena, widely regarded as the most accomplished wrestler in WWE history, has officially stepped away from professional wrestling, bringing an end to a remarkable 24-year career.
The 17-time world champion made his final in-ring appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event, held before a crowd of over 19,000 fans at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Cena closed his year-long farewell tour with a defeat to Gunther, submitting in a dramatic encounter that marked only the fourth time he has tapped out in his career—and his first submission loss in 21 years.
During the match, Gunther applied relentless pressure with a series of sleeper holds. Although Cena repeatedly fought free and attempted his signature moves, including the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment, he was ultimately overpowered. In a poignant moment, Cena looked into the camera, offered a faint smile, and submitted, signaling the end of his wrestling journey.
The loss was Cena’s first tap-out defeat since 2004, when he fell to Kurt Angle.
Following the bout, Gunther exited the ring as WWE stars poured out to honour Cena. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes entered the ring and presented their championship belts to Cena, allowing him to hold them one final time.
The atmosphere shifted when WWE’s chief content officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, appeared, drawing loud chants of displeasure from sections of the crowd unhappy with the outcome of Cena’s farewell match.
A tribute video then played, showcasing highlights from Cena’s storied career, including archival clips featuring former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. In a symbolic gesture, Cena removed his shoes and sweatbands and left them in the middle of the ring before taking a final bow.
As he walked toward the entrance, Cena acknowledged fans with handshakes and waves before delivering his last message on camera.
“It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years. Thank you,” he said, moments before the broadcast ended.
Gunther’s victory marked the second retirement match he concluded in 2025, having earlier defeated Bill Goldberg in what was also the Hall of Famer’s final bout.
Cena’s retirement caps a dramatic final year that included a major character shift when he turned heel for the first time at the Elimination Chamber event in March. He later defeated Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, setting a new record for world title reigns. Rhodes reclaimed the title at SummerSlam, but Cena went on to secure one last championship run after defeating Dominik Mysterio in his hometown of Boston.
With his exit, Cena leaves behind a legacy defined by longevity, championships, and a lasting impact on WWE and its global fanbase.
