John Cena made a surprise appearance at this past Saturday's Money in the Bank PLE to confirm that he's officially retiring from in-ring action.
It's not happening too soon, though, as the Leader of the Cenation confirmed next year's Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania will be his last. That led to the belief he'd have his final match at the Show of Shows, only for Cena to lay out his full 2025 plans in a post-show press conference.
There, Cena said he plans to work as many as 40 dates, right through to the end of the year. Needless to say, that's led to speculation about who he intends to face...and who will be the one to retire the 16-time WWE Champion!
"There is always unfinished business in the WWE, which probably makes this announcement extremely surprising because I'm trying to close up shop here," he explained when asked if The Rock is a possibility. "I don't and have never put much stock in expectations that are beyond my control and I've tried to lead an existence where I can control what I can."
As for who he'd like to step into the ring with, it sounds like that's a decision he's leaving up to WWE.
"I am in no position to handpick opponents. I have always had a wonderful time challenging myself, telling stories with whatever hand I was deal," Cena noted. "So I think that is part of the allure and part of the excitement of what we are about to embark is the stories we can tell and hopefully who will show up."
While a year feels like a long time, the clock is ticking on Cena's career and there are still a lot of dream matches he can have and more than a few old foes it would be fun to see him square off with again.
At the same press conference, CM Punk shared his hopes to battle his former rival. "Cena, to my career, means a lot," the Second City Saint said. "I don’t think there’s many people up in that rare air where if you talk about my career, I feel you have to talk about John and it makes me feel proud that I think if you talk about John’s career I think you have to talk about me."
"We’re married in that respect. I’m proud of him, he gets to go out on his terms, I know that’s important. I’m looking forward to what he does and I told him that if it’s going to be one more time, we’ve got to do it at least one more time."
Who would you like to see Cena face during his final WWE run?