From the moment John Cena made the shock announcement about his retirement tour at 2024’s Money in the Bank, the wrestling world has been savouring. Every word, promo and match, savoured knowing it all comes to a halt on December 13.
At last weekend’s “Saturday Night’s Main Event” Cena himself announced in a promo package that over the next few weeks, a 16-man tournament will be held to decide his final opponent. The 47th edition of “Saturday Night’s Main Event,” an edition set to be a culminating celebration of the self-proclaimed Greatest of All Time’s career.
The Last Time is Now Tournament kicks off NEXT WEEK on RAW!
Who will be John Cena’s final opponent? pic.twitter.com/EZeInvnnTv
— WWE (@WWE) November 4, 2025
Over the past year, Cena’s farewell journey has stretched across continents, from a raucous night in Dublin last August to emotional appearances in arenas. All packed with signs reading “Thank You Cena.” It’s been a tour defined by reflection, reaction, and relentless energy.
But while some moments have reminded fans exactly why Cena became the face that runs the place, others have sparked debate about whether the tour has truly lived up to its billing. So has the ‘Never Seen 17’ delivered?
When John Cena kicked off his farewell tour on the Netflix debut of Raw back in January of this year, he promised fans it would be “fun, nostalgic, and full of emotion.” By most accounts, he’s kept that promise at least in flashes.
The tour has been a mix of throwback moments, heartfelt speeches, and a few questionable creative calls that left sections of the WWE Universe divided.
The biggest high of the tour started early this year, with Cena’s big win at the Elimination Chamber Event in March. Cena won the 6-Man Chamber match having a nostalgic finish against his wrestling soulmate CM Punk, eliminating the Second City Saint.
This was to go on to face Cody Rhodes at the upcoming WrestleMania. This alone would’ve been enough to build to the biggest match of Cena’s career in over a decade but add in the chance of breaking Ric Flair’s record for most WWE title reigns.
But for WWE’s creative team, this wasn’t enough. Cena is the ultimate good guy in the ring, and outside of it.
Over his 20-year career, he always has been. No celebrity has made more wishes for the Make a Wish foundation, and this is a reputation Cena is beyond proud of.
They always teased a heel turn for the 17-time champ, but fans knew that’s all there was to it; a tease. His merchandise sales, his reputation and his money-making potential were worth way too much to the company to turn the world’s greatest good guy bad.
So, what did the WWE do after he won the Chamber?
They closed the show with the biggest shock the WWE Universe has ever seen. Cena aligned with The Rock and celebrity rapper Travis Scott, after Cody Rhodes refused, and the world was stunned. They laid the ‘smacketh’ down on Cody, and the heel turn was set in stone.
SPEECHLESS.
JOHN CENA just viciously TURNED on CODY RHODES at #WWEChamber! pic.twitter.com/jSyaCud7Wz
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025
The face that runs the place just pulled off the greatest moment in WWE history. It made the WrestleMania main event between him and Cody even more delectable.
Cena’s partnership with The Rock and Travis Scott stunned fans, not only because of the betrayal, but because it shattered a 20-year image of loyalty and integrity.
The ultimate hero had finally turned villain, and the fans couldn’t wait to see where the story went from there. But what should’ve been the greatest WWE story of all time turned out to be a total flop.
What began as the highest point of Cena’s farewell tour turned into its biggest lowlight. The Pandora’s box of WWE was opened but, the contents inside were not executed and utilised correctly. It didn’t even get near fan expectations. And it was all due to one man, The Rock.
Due to prior commitments, which should’ve been clarified before the heel turn was even discussed, The Rock wouldn’t be seen for the rest of Cena’s retirement tour. In promos, Cena would say he “sold his soul to the Final Boss”, and how the fans now mean ‘nothing’ to him because The Rock had convinced him so.
The fans never got conviction of this. Cena in their eyes, was still the same man who preached hustle, loyalty and respect for the last 20 years.
If The Rock wasn’t going to actually be by his side, reminding him he sold his soul to be “his champion,” why should they be?
Due of this, the heel turn absolutely flopped. The main event at WrestleMania was a complete disaster and absolutely killed the mood in the WWE Universe, which should’ve been on such a high after such great shows over the weekend.
Yes, Cena broke the record but there was no connection to the fans when it was completed. Cena was still trying to play the pantomime villain, but the fans still wanted to cheer for their favourite hero.
The highest of highs turned into the lowest of lows in a truly turbulent time in Cena’s retirement tour. So, how could the WWE creative team save this? By giving the fans what they actually wanted.
About a month after the disaster that was Cena’s WrestleMania main event, the WWE Creative team scrapped his catastrophe of a heel turn and gave the fans what Cena promised. A tour full of fun, nostalgia and emotion.
Cena went on to battle great foes of his past; having world class matches with the likes of AJ Styles, CM Punk and a rematch against Cody Rhodes. This made everyone forget about “that” match; even stopping in Dublin last August to “grace Ireland with his presence one last time!”
JOHN CENA ARRIVES FOR THE FINAL TIME IN DUBLIN!
“STU LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT” #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JqnKiCOLCQ
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) August 22, 2025
Cena was finally delivering the promises he made, and it was the best creative decision of the year. He hasn’t had a bad, non-entertaining or boring match since that WrestleMania match and the fans couldn’t be happier. This is what the Greatest of All Time deserves.
Not a lot of professional athletes get to retire on their own terms. Most don’t get to have their fairy-tale ending or go out how they truly want to. Cena is getting that opportunity, and although it was almost wasted, the creative team and Cena himself recovered it better than a lot of wrestling fans expected.
As we look forward to an emotionally charged farewell on December 13, fans have been massively speculating who will get the honour of being Cena’s last opponent.
As the man himself said “I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match,” confirming to fans that this is really it.
Cena went on to say, “On my last day, I want to face whoever is willing to step up and seize the same kind of opportunity I was given on my first day, so if you want some, come get some!”
Whoever is the victor in this special tournament and steps up to face him on December 13 truly has a career altering opportunity on their hands.
John Cena’s farewell tour has only helped solidify his legacy as one of wrestling and pop culture’s most enduring icons, once again overcoming adversity. For two decades, he’s been the standard-bearer for passion, perseverance, and connection, a man who made “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect” more than just a slogan.
As he prepares to take his final bow, one thing is certain. The bell will ring for the last time. The chants of “Let’s go Cena!” and “Cena sucks!” will echo for generations to come.