John Cena Stuns WWE Universe with Unannounced Comeback—Everything You Need to Know

WWE icon John Cena stunned the wrestling world during a surprise appearance at Money in the Bank in Toronto, declaring that 2025 will mark the end of his in-ring career. The 47-year-old, a 16-time world champion, promised a full “farewell tour” that will stretch from January through December next year and culminate at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. Why Cena Picked 2025 Cena told the packed Scotiabank Arena that stepping away on his own terms allows him to “finish where it all began” while still physically capable of delivering blockbuster matches. The Hollywood star’s film commitments often limit his WWE availability; locking the final bell to a single calendar year lets him coordinate movie shoots without short-changing fans or producers. Tentative Farewell Tour Stops Although WWE has yet to release the full itinerary, internal memos leaked to talent list several premium live events penciled in for Cena appearances: • Royal Rumble – Tropicana Field, Tampa (Jan. 25) • Elimination Chamber – Berlin, Germany (Feb. 22) • WrestleMania 41 – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas (Apr. 19–20) • SummerSlam – East Rutherford, NJ (Aug. 2–3) • Clash at the Castle – Paris, France (Aug. 31) • Survivor Series – Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 23) Industry insiders expect additional Friday Night SmackDown dates to be slotted between major stadium shows as part of a “Thank You Cena” marketing push. Legacy Numbers That Define a Career • 16 world titles (tied with Ric Flair for most recognized reigns) • 505 televised victories, the most in modern WWE record-keeping • 650+ Make-A-Wish wishes granted, the highest by any celebrity Fan & Locker Room Reactions Social media erupted with #ThankYouCena trending worldwide within minutes of the announcement, and WWE’s official post racked up over 25 million views in 24 hours. Current champion Cody Rhodes tweeted, “The house that hustle built—one more run.” Backstage, younger stars reportedly view the tour as a master class in crowd psychology and an opportunity to share the ring with a living legend. What Comes After the Final Bell? Cena clarified that retirement applies strictly to active competition. He will remain an ambassador, host special events and continue producing the hit game show “Wipeout.” Negotiations are underway for a docuseries chronicling his farewell season to stream on Peacock and internationally on Netflix, mirroring the success of WWE’s Undertaker and Ric Flair documentaries. Impact on WWE’s Business Ticket pre-registrations for 2025 events spiked 47 percent within two days of the announcement, according to internal sales figures leaked to financial analysts. Merchandise teams rushed limited-edition “Last Hustle, Loyalty, Respect” jerseys into production for holiday release. Analysts at Morgan Stanley forecast the farewell tour could add up to $60 million in incremental revenue, rivaling The Rock’s 2011 return arc. Bottom Line John Cena’s pending retirement turns every 2025 appearance into must-see TV for wrestling fans and curiosity seekers alike. Whether you grew up chanting “You can’t see me” or discovered him through blockbuster roles in “Fast & Furious” and “Peacemaker,” the countdown to Cena’s final five-knuckle shuffle has officially begun—so mark your calendars before the last bell rings on one of sports entertainment’s most decorated careers.