By: Kwame Bediako
John Cena capped his legendary 23-year WWE journey on Saturday, December 13, 2025, submitting to Gunther in a grueling 25-minute clash, marking the end of his in-ring tenure that kicked off back in 2002.
The 17-time world champion, who rose from indie circuit obscurity to global icon, chose a wordless departure, leaving his iconic wristbands and boots in the ring as a symbolic goodbye.
Fans packed the arena erupted in chants of “Thank you, Cena!” while Cena ascended the ramp, pausing for one last salute to the roaring crowd and camera lens.
Cena’s path to stardom was anything but linear. Debuting as The Prototype on SmackDown in June 2002, he reinvented himself as the brash “Doctor of Thuganomics,” spitting rhymes and challenging the status quo to become WWE’s unbreakable face.
Over two decades, he shattered records with 17 world titles, tied for the most ever, headlined six WrestleManias, and claimed every major belt in a career Grand Slam.
His rivalries with icons like Edge, Randy Orton, and The Rock defined eras, blending athletic prowess with unmatched charisma that bridged generations of fans.
Since pivoting to Hollywood in 2017 with blockbusters like The Marine and Fast & Furious, Cena’s WWE appearances dwindled to marquee moments.
He shocked the world at Money in the Bank 2024, revealing his 2025 retirement plans amid a farewell tour that saw him enter the Royal Rumble (dumped out by Jey Uso), flip heel at Elimination Chamber—his first villain turn since 2003—and capture his final world title by toppling Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania before dropping it back at SummerSlam.
The climactic bout stemmed from a high-stakes tournament Gunther dominated, pitting the Austrian powerhouse against Cena in a test of endurance.
Cena battled valiantly, landing signature Attitude Adjustments, but succumbed to Gunther’s vise-like sleeper hold—his first tap-out since 2003. The 48-year-old warrior fought with the fire of his prototype days, but age and mileage caught up in a match that honored his resilience.
Post-bell, the WWE roster stormed the ring in unity: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes draped their world titles over Cena’s shoulders, Triple H unveiled a heartfelt video montage flashing career highs from Thuganomics taunts to WrestleMania triumphs, and peers like Jey Uso and Dominick Mysterio shared embraces.
Cena’s quiet exit underscores his ethos, actions over words, leaving a void as WWE eyes a post-Cena landscape. Off-camera sources hint at producing ventures and philanthropy next, ensuring the “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect” mantra.
