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John Cena Says WWE Is in Good Hands Ahead of His Impending Retirement in December 1 John Cena (via WWE)

John Cena Says WWE Is in Good Hands Ahead of His Impending Retirement in December

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Anugrah Tyagi | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 5:55 AM ET

John Cena is halfway through his retirement tour, with only 15 appearances remaining before he officially hangs up his boots later this year. While the exact location of his final match is yet to be confirmed, it has been announced that the 17-time champion will retire sometime in December. Recently, he opened up about his farewell tour, sharing his thoughts on the future of WWE and the professional wrestling industry as a whole.

Appearing on This Morning to promote his latest film, Heads of State, ‘The Cenation Leader’ expressed confidence in the promotion’s future crop of stars, stating that the company is in very good hands. He noted that several rising stars have the potential to become the next big names in the industry, assuring fans that the business will prosper long after he is gone. Cena also reflected on his journey, sharing that the fans and WWE allowed him to perform for over 20 years, and he is extremely grateful for the immense support of the WWE Universe.

I’m 48 years old and I made a promise when I started getting success in WWE way back around 2004. I promised the audience when I felt I lost a step, it was time to step away. The company has so many stars. They’re in great hands.
John Cena via This Morning

The Undisputed WWE Champion also shared his excitement about the remaining 15 appearances on his farewell tour. ‘The Franchise Player’ promised that the journey ahead would be a memorable one, not just for him, but for his fans as well. He once again made it clear that his retirement in December will be final, firmly stating that he will not be returning to the ring once he steps away.

Additionally, the 17-time World Champion was asked how he feels about nearing the end of his retirement tour. The Hollywood star responded by saying that he likely won’t fully grasp the emotions until January. For now, he’s completely immersed in the farewell journey. Cena added that he’s looking forward to what WWE has planned for him over the next five months as he prepares to close the final chapter of his in-ring career. Talking about the big screen, Cena recently revealed his choice for the greatest pro-wrestler to make a name in Hollywood.

John Cena Names the Greatest Wrestler-Turned-Actor in History

John Cena is one of the most successful wrestlers-turned-actors to emerge from WWE. In a relatively short span, he has starred in major films like ‘Bumblebee’, ‘F9’, and ‘The Suicide Squad’, steadily building an impressive acting resume. As his Hollywood career continues to flourish, ‘The Cenation Leader’ recently shared his thoughts on who he believes is the greatest wrestler-turned-actor of all time.

Speaking on Complex GOAT Talk, Cena named Dave Bautista as the greatest wrestler-turned-actor. He praised ‘The Animal’ for his determination and passion for the craft of acting, highlighting his impressive body transformation as a testament to his dedication.

I’m gonna give respect where respect is earned, Dave Bautista. The dude has range. And now has like transformed his whole body. So the stuff he’s about to do, look out for Dave Bautista. The stuff he’s already done is incredible. But as far as like, wrestler turned actor with the range, you know me, I’m just d**k jokes, that’s it. Dave’s got range.
John Cena via Complex GOAT Talk

John Cena names Batista when asked for GOAT wrestler turned actor:

“I’m gonna give respect where respect is earned, Dave Batista. Dude has range, and has now transformed his whole body. The stuff he’s about to do…look out for Dave Batista. The stuff he’s already done is… pic.twitter.com/6Cfgv5lGUi
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) July 2, 2025

The 48-year-old also praised the remarkable range of the former Evolution member, noting that while he often finds himself delivering cheesy jokes, Bautista has consistently taken on diverse roles like playing Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy Franchise and also appearing in films like Dune and Blade Runner 2049.

Cena and Bautista were fierce rivals in WWE, with both leading the charge, winning world titles at WrestleMania 21 and defining an era that found itself without guys like The Rock , Stone Cold Steve Austin , and Brock Lesnar . This makes Cena’s admiration for his former on-screen adversary all the more remarkable. Coming back to Cena’s farewell tour, there has been buzz about when his title reign will conclude.

John Cena to drop his Undisputed WWE Title at SummerSlam?

John Cena is nearing 80 days as the Undisputed WWE Champion. He recently retained his title in a hard-fought match against arch-nemesis CM Punk at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. Now, his next major challenge awaits at SummerSlam, where he is set to defend the championship against Cody Rhodes, who earned his shot at gold after beating Randy Orton and becoming the 24th King of the Ring winner.

WWE planning massive tag team match for Travis Scott after his controversial involvement with John Cena's 17th title win 4 John Cena (Image via WWE)

‘The American Nightmare’ is widely regarded as the quarterback of the Stamford-based promotion and currently stands as the top baby face on the roster. Another loss to ‘Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, Respect’ could significantly damage his momentum.

As a result, there’s strong speculation that Rhodes may finally overcome Cena at SummerSlam to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. Such a development could set the stage for a major shift in Cena’s character, potentially leading to a babyface turn as he heads into the final stretch of his retirement tour.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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