John Cena has ruled out any further physical performance for WWE, saying there is “no chance” he will return to the ring. The latest John Cena retirement comments came in a TODAY interview, IGN reports.
“I’m not going to perform again physically. There is no chance that I’ll perform again physically. And the WWE and I had a conversation about that, and we thought that at 49 it was the right time to step away. I put 23 years of physical service into the business.”
John Cena, in a TODAY interview
John Cena retirement: a firmer line after his final match
Cena retired after a nearly 25-year WWE career. His final match was against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC, on 13 December 2025; WWE announced the date and event, while IGN reports that Gunther won by submission.
The latest John Cena retirement comments are more definite than his answer before the final match. On Good Morning America, Cena said he did not want to “speak in absolutes” or close every opportunity, as Entertainment Weekly reported. This time, he said there was no chance of performing physically again.
WWE work will continue outside the ring
Cena said he and WWE agreed that stepping away at 49 was right after 23 years of physical work. He will remain involved with the company in non-wrestling roles, including as an ambassador. In December, he is due to help with the John Cena Classic, a live event built around nostalgia for his WWE character, with fans voting for the champion, according to IGN.
His screen career continues too. Cena plays Peacemaker in the DC series, which we covered in our guide to watching Peacemaker in the UAE. He has also discussed Coyote vs Acme at a Comic-Con panel and is now promoting Matchbox: The Movie, per IGN.
Does this rule out every kind of WWE appearance?
No. Cena ruled out physical performance, not all WWE work; he says he will remain involved outside the ring, including with the John Cena Classic. No new match or other specific appearance has been announced.
How is this different from Cena’s earlier comments?
Before his final match, Cena said he did not want to speak in absolutes. His latest interview removes that qualification about physical performance while leaving non-wrestling WWE work open.
