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- John Cena waves to the crowd during the WWE Fastlane pro wrestling event Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

John Cena’s Final Match: WWE Sets the Stage for Wrestling History in Washington D.C.

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 9:41 AM ET

Well, wrestling fans, the moment we’ve all been dreading (and secretly anticipating) is finally here. WWE has officially confirmed that John Cena’s final match will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Because apparently, nothing says “farewell to greatness” quite like the nation’s capital rolling out the red carpet for the 17-time World Champion’s swan song.

Let’s be honest here – after watching Cena get absolutely demolished by Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza, some fans might be wondering if the writing’s already on the wall for how this farewell tour might end. But hey, that’s wrestling for you, right? One minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re eating a suplex sandwich courtesy of “The Beast Incarnate.”

The Final Countdown: Cena’s Last Stand

The announcement comes as part of WWE‘s partnership with Events DC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, because nothing screams “monumental” quite like watching a legend hang up his jorts for the final time. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque didn’t mince words in his statement: “John’s contributions to WWE are immeasurable. There are no words that can truly relay how much he means to this business.”

Honestly, Triple H isn’t wrong. Love him or hate him (and let’s face it, wrestling fans have done both in equal measure over the years), Cena has been the face of WWE for the better part of two decades. His resume reads like a wrestling fever dream: 17 World Championships, five U.S. Championship reigns, two Royal Rumble victories, and more “You Can’t See Me” gestures than any of us can count.

What Makes This Moment So Special?

Here’s where things get interesting, and maybe a little emotional. Cena’s retirement tour has been building to this moment since he first announced it at Money in the Bank 2024 in Toronto. We’ve watched him work through his farewell appearances, each one potentially being “the last time” we see certain matchups or moments.

The fact that WWE chose Washington D.C. for this historic moment isn’t lost on anyone. As Angie M. Gates, President and CEO of Events DC, put it: “Washington, D.C. is the Sports Capital and the perfect place to honor John Cena’s remarkable legacy.” It’s fitting that a man who’s been the unofficial ambassador of sports entertainment for so long gets his final bow in the actual capital of the country.

But let’s address the elephant in the room – we still don’t know who Cena’s final opponent will be. The rumor mill has been churning with possibilities, but WWE has kept this particular card close to their chest. Will it be someone from his past? A current superstar looking to make their mark? Or perhaps someone completely unexpected who wants to be forever known as the wrestler who faced John Cena in his final match?

The Road to December 13th

Before we get to that emotional December evening, Cena still has a few more stops on his farewell tour. The remaining dates read like a greatest hits collection of wrestling venues:

October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia (where he faces AJ Styles)
November 10: WWE Raw in Boston, MA
November 17: WWE Raw in New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
November 29: Survivor Series in San Diego, CA
December 13: Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C.

Each of these shows represents another step closer to the end of an era. And honestly? That AJ Styles matchup at Crown Jewel has fans salivating. Both wrestlers have gone on record saying they wanted this match, and Triple H was more than happy to make it happen. It’s the kind of dream match that makes you remember why you fell in love with wrestling in the first place.

The Business Side of Farewell

Let’s talk turkey for a moment. Tickets for Saturday Night’s Main Event go on sale October 17 at 10 AM ET, with an exclusive presale starting October 15. WWE’s also partnering with On Location for premium packages that include ringside seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, and photo opportunities.

Translation? This is going to be expensive, folks. But then again, how do you put a price tag on witnessing wrestling history? WWE knows exactly what they have here – the final chapter of one of the most polarizing yet undeniably successful careers in sports entertainment history.

Why Cena’s Legacy Matters

Here’s the thing about John Cena that even his harshest critics have to acknowledge: the man showed up. For nearly two decades, he was the reliable face of WWE during some of the company’s most challenging periods. While other stars came and went, dealt with injuries, or pursued other interests, Cena was consistently there, carrying the company on his shoulders.

Sure, his “Super Cena” period frustrated fans who wanted to see other wrestlers get their moment in the sun. And yes, his “Five Moves of Doom” became a meme for a reason. But the man’s work ethic, professionalism, and genuine love for the business never wavered. Plus, let’s not forget his incredible work with Make-A-Wish, granting over 650 wishes – more than any other celebrity in the organization’s history.

The Emotional Weight of Goodbye

As much as we might joke about Cena’s signature moves or his questionable fashion choices (seriously, jorts?), there’s something genuinely emotional about watching a legend walk away. This isn’t just about one wrestler retiring – it’s about the end of an era that defined WWE for a generation of fans.

Think about it: there are wrestling fans in their twenties who have never known WWE without John Cena as a major presence. He’s been the constant through regime changes, roster overhauls, and seismic shifts in how wrestling is presented and consumed.

Looking Ahead to December 13th

When that final bell rings on December 13th at the Capital One Arena, we’ll be witnessing the end of one of wrestling’s most significant chapters. Whether Cena goes out on his back (as many legends traditionally do) or gets one final moment of triumph, the emotion in that building is going to be palpable.

WWE has promised “a host of community-driven initiatives and ancillary events” to commemorate the occasion, including a live episode of The Undertaker‘s podcast at The Howard Theatre on December 12th. Because if you’re going to send off a legend, you might as well do it right.

The truth is, regardless of how you feel about John Cena the character, it’s impossible not to respect John Cena the performer and the person. He gave everything to this business, and this business gave him a platform to become something larger than wrestling itself.

So mark your calendars, wrestling fans. December 13th, 2025, will be a date that lives in wrestling history. The day we said goodbye to one of the last true larger-than-life superstars of the modern era. Whether you’re ready or not, the final chapter of the John Cena story is about to be written.

And honestly? After everything he’s given us over the years, he’s earned the right to write that ending however he sees fit.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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