John Cena has said repeatedly that 2025 will be his final year as an active competitor in WWE, and his retirement tour is expected to kick off when RAW moves to Netflix next January.
Now, WWE has confirmed that the Leader of the Cenation will be part of February's Royal Rumble PLE. Interestingly, the wording doesn't make it clear whether he'll be in the 30-man match or just wrestling on the show; chances are WWE has yet to make that decision.
"In 2025, there will be myriad of history-making events," Cena says in the video below. "The last time I will ever compete in a Royal Rumble event is February 1, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, and you want to make sure you're there."
"It is my last Royal Rumble as the road to WrestleMania kicks off, February 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. Act fast as tickets are on sale this Friday. The last time is now and you should hurry up because after this, you can't see me," he concluded.
Assuming Cena is in the Royal Rumble match, WWE may be planning on him winning the match so he can get that historic 17th world title at WrestleMania a couple of months later.
He won in 2008 and 2013, was a runner-up in 2005 and 2010, and in his last Rumble, was third.
Earlier this year, Cena clarified the exact number of dates WWE has him slotted in for. "I can probably confirm that Peacemaker will take us to the end of 2024, and I can say that with the utmost conviction because I have given the calendar year 2025 to WWE. I am retiring in 2025, and I start that farewell tour in January."
"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," he confirmed.
"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."
Check out the promo announcing Cena's Royal Rumble appearance below.