At Money in the Bank earlier this year, John Cena confirmed that he will retire from in-ring action next year with a WWE retirement tour.
While he's expected to work the entirety of 2025, this means the upcoming Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania PLEs will be the final time we see him at those iconic events as an active competitor.
In total, the Leader of the Cenation is said to be targeting 36 total dates over the year, including the first RAW on Netflix. There's been a lot of speculation about who he could and should face during that time, with many fans arguing he should break Ric Flair's record and become a 17-time WWE Champion.
If that's going to happen, then it should arguably be in a match with Gunther at WrestleMania. However, there could be other plans in place for Cena at the Showcase of the Immortals.
According to @WrestleVotes, "Sources indicate recent rumors of Logan Paul vs. John Cena at WrestleMania have, at the very least, been discussed. However, the idea has been met with resounding disapproval from several within creative."
The insider added, "The general feeling is that this shouldn’t be Cena’s final WrestleMania match."
Many fans will likely agree with that assessment. Yes, it's a huge match guaranteed to get mainstream interest but doesn't Cena deserve better than the influencer turned part-time pro wrestler?
"I have given the calendar year 2025 to WWE. I am retiring in 2025, and I start that farewell tour in January," Cena said earlier this year. "I’ll end it in December, and it’s going to be right around 36 dates around the world to pay thanks and gratitude to the WWE audiences around the world. So that’s what I’m doing in 2025."
"There isn’t a check writer with enough money to change my mind when I hang it up in December," he added. "I don’t want to continue for ego or financial gain. I built a relationship of trust and authenticity over the years with the WWE, and that’s people who think I suck and people who believe in me, they know that I shoot them straight and I’m trustworthy."
"I mean what I say: when I’m done in December, I am done. It is the last time I will perform in a ring."
Stay tuned for updates as we have them.