John Cena has revealed the heartfelt reason behind his decision to step away from full-time WWE competition, emphasizing the importance of life beyond wrestling. Meanwhile, Corey Graves is confirmed to return as the lead English-language commentator for AAA’s big event, TripleMania XXXIII, on August 16th in Mexico City.
In a recent candid interview, Cena explained that his WWE retirement is not merely about physical wear and tear, but about preserving his personal life and priorities. Reflecting on his grueling past schedule during his peak WWE years, Cena admitted, “A schedule like I was doing in 2013 would destroy me right now,” highlighting the toll that full-time wrestling took on his relationships and wellbeing[1].
This perspective marks a significant shift from Cena’s former workaholic mindset, which once prioritized WWE commitments even over family. He recalled moments from 2008 when he abruptly left family dinners for wrestling events, illustrating the sacrifices he made early in his career[1]. Now five years into his marriage with his current wife Shay, Cena is focused on “living life” and cherishing his greatest gifts: waking up every day and his relationship with his wife[1].
Despite winding down his in-ring appearances, Cena still plans to leave the WWE stage on his own terms. His upcoming match at WWE SummerSlam, where he will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, is poised to be one of his final major bouts[1][3]. Following SummerSlam, Cena has approximately a dozen appearances left before officially retiring from active wrestling[3].
In other WWE-related news, Corey Graves will reprieve his commentary role for AAA’s forthcoming flagship event, TripleMania XXXIII, scheduled for August 16th at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. According to Pwinsider, Graves, known for his work on WWE Monday Night RAW and NXT, will serve as the lead English-language announcer for the show, continuing his collaboration with AAA booker Konnan—the duo previously called the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event in June[5].
After TripleMania XXXIII, Graves will return to his regular duties on RAW alongside Michael Cole and on NXT[5]. This move highlights WWE talents’ crossover appeal and the growing connections between major wrestling promotions worldwide.
Sources close to Cena have indicated that the WWE icon’s retirement plan is not sudden but a deliberate conclusion to a storied career spanning over 25 years[4]. WWE.com and Fightful report that while Cena remains in excellent shape, he prioritizes life beyond wrestling, valuing his health and personal relationships above all[1][4].
Fans eagerly await Cena’s final run, which promises to be a celebration of his legacy and a respectful closing chapter. Meanwhile, Corey Graves’ work on AAA’s premier event will bring additional spotlight to the vibrant lucha libre scene, catering to English-speaking audiences globally[5].
This summer marks a period of significant transitions in professional wrestling, with icons like John Cena stepping back to embrace new life chapters and commentators like Corey Graves expanding their international reach.
Reported by Wrestling Headlines with contributions from WWE.com, Fightful, Pwinsider, and exclusive interviews.