NEW YORK: Wrestling icon John Cena has broken his silence on the real reason behind his impending retirement from WWE, revealing that physical decline and waning in-ring skills were key factors in his decision to step away from the sport that made him a global superstar.
In an interview with former WWE CEO and Chairwoman Stephanie McMahon on her show Stephanie’s Places, the 48-year-old WWE Undisputed Champion admitted that years of physical punishment had taken a toll on his body, making it difficult to maintain the intense training and performance levels required of a top-tier wrestler.
“I can’t even do these lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up,” Cena confessed.
“Once I swallowed that jagged pill of realisation—‘I’m never going to overhead press 375 pounds again’—I had to reset. It’s the same with WWE. My skills are regressing, and I can feel it in every match.”
Cena, a 17-time world champion, further explained that continuing at a full-time capacity would not only affect his own performance but also disrupt the flow of his matches and his relationships outside the ring.
“If I continue at a full-time physical capability or involvement, I’m not going to run right, my partner is not going to run right, and our relationship isn’t going to run right,” he said.
“Sorry, kid, it’s time to close this chapter. I wish I was 18 again. I wish I felt great because there’s no place I feel more at home—besides in the arms of my wife—than I do in the ring.”
Cena was the face of WWE from 2005 to 2015, leading the company through one of its most commercially successful eras.
Known for his charisma, loyalty to fans, and epic rivalries, he helped redefine sports entertainment for a new generation.
By 2016, however, his appearances became less frequent as he shifted focus to a flourishing Hollywood career, paving the way for Roman Reigns to assume the mantle of WWE’s top star.
In July 2024, Cena shocked the WWE Universe with a surprise appearance at the Money in the Bank premium live event, where he announced that 2025 would mark his final year as an in-ring performer.
He later pitched the idea of a farewell tour to WWE executives, who gave it the green light.
Spent the afternoon with someone I admire and who has helped me find “my why” more than most would assume.
Great conversation with @StephMcMahon you can see on #StephaniesPlaces airing on @ESPNPlus now! pic.twitter.com/rxP4JYC1AL
— John Cena (@JohnCena) May 28, 2025
In a surprising twist to his farewell run, Cena turned heel and captured the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania 41, becoming the most decorated world champion in WWE history with 17 title reigns.
Currently, Cena is locked in a heated storyline with Cody Rhodes, and the two are set to clash in a tag team match at Money in the Bank on 7 June.
Industry experts believe their rivalry will carry through the remainder of the year, with many speculating that Rhodes—nicknamed “The American Nightmare”—could be the one to finally dethrone the champion during his farewell run.
