'I Wish I Was 18' John Cena Gets Emotional & Reveals Details On Why He's Retiring

Noting that his body would no longer allow him to do the things he used to do, he was receiving physical signs everywhere that it was time to make a tough decision. Saying he would go to his gym, "Hard Knocks," which used to make him feel great but leave him feeling terrible, he realized that there were also literal signs all around his gym that told him he wasn't what he used to be.

When asked by Stephanie how he got here (decision to retire), he said, "By continually coming here and being disappointed." He then asked himself, "This place usually makes me feel good. Why do I feel bad? It's because I'm surrounded by pictures, by numbers..."

"I can’t do even do these lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up. So, as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, ‘Oh man, I’m never gonna overhead press 374 pounds ever again. But let’s work to see what the best I can for today is.’ You know, it’s a very similar course to WWE. My skills are on regress. If I continue at a full-time physical capability or involvement, I’m not gonna run right, my partner is not gonna run right, and our relationship isn’t gonna run right."

Cena ultimately told himself, "Sorry kid, it's time to close this chapter." He said he wished he were 18 again.

Cena Had To Pitch WWE On a Retirement Tour

Cena said he went to WWE and pitched the idea of a retirement run for a year, hoping they would see the solid business that could come from it. He called it a "real wrestling farewell." They responded, "Yes, this is going to be good."

Eventually, he was turned heel and said he's been stealing ideas from people for years to be the best heel possible. He didn't want to talk about his current plans as a character, but he said he's eternally grateful for the opportunity he was given to be a WWE Superstar for as long as he has been.