John Cena, widely regarded as one of WWE’s most iconic superstars, has officially announced that 2025 will be his final year in professional wrestling, embarking on a global farewell tour to celebrate his legendary career. This long-anticipated retirement plan was revealed during the July 2024 Money in the Bank event in Toronto and has since been confirmed in several interviews and reports, providing fans with a detailed picture of when and how Cena’s in-ring journey will conclude[1][2][5].

The Timeline: Cena’s Retirement Matches and Farewell Tour

Cena’s farewell tour is set to begin in January 2025 and run through December 2025, encompassing approximately 36 dates worldwide to give fans across the globe one last opportunity to witness “The Champ” live[2][4]. This extensive schedule reflects Cena’s desire to thank his loyal fanbase personally and ensure his retirement is marked by memorable events rather than a single final match.

Key milestones for Cena in 2025 include:

• Winter-Spring: Starting with high-profile events like the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
• Summer: Continuing with WWE’s revamped pay-per-view calendar, including Money in the Bank in June and SummerSlam in August.
• Fall: Culminating with major international events such as WWE Clash in Paris and Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia.
• Winter: Closing out with a final event scheduled in Boston later in the year, date yet to be confirmed[3].

WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas stands as the official final in-ring wrestling event of Cena’s career, where he plans to bid the WWE Universe a formal farewell on the grandest stage of all[1][5].

What Sets This Farewell Apart?

Unlike traditional send-offs limited to a WrestleMania moment, Cena’s approach spans an entire year, making it a comprehensive farewell tour—a concept WWE has embraced for a select few superstars in the past.

In an interview with Collider, Cena explained that while his TV and film commitments, such as filming for the HBO Max series Peacemaker, will wrap by the end of 2024, he has dedicated all of 2025 specifically to WWE and its fans[2]. This balancing act between entertainment and wrestling underscores Cena’s unique status as both a global celebrity and wrestling icon.

Behind the Scenes: WWE’s Evolving Event Landscape and Cena’s Farewell

The introduction of WWE’s new Evolution 2 pay-per-view in July 2024 and a restructured event calendar directly influenced the timing of Cena’s retirement. According to Bryan Alvarez on “Wrestling Observer Live,” these changes helped clarify when Cena’s final matches would take place, with July through December 2025 being packed with high-profile WWE events that lend themselves well to a farewell tour atmosphere[1].

Sources close to WWE indicated the company is carefully planning to maximize the promotional value of Cena’s final year, ensuring his appearances draw high viewership and ticket sales across domestic and international markets. A trusted WWE insider shared, “John Cena’s farewell is not just a retirement, it’s a global celebration. WWE sees this as a once-in-a-generation moment and wants to give fans worldwide a chance to say goodbye.” This insider also hinted that some special appearances and surprises are expected throughout the year to enhance the experience[3].

Fan and Industry Reaction

Cena’s announcement has generated widespread buzz across the wrestling community. Fans are eager to witness the final chapters of his career, which spans over two decades and includes 16 world championships, countless memorable matches, and popularizing WWE to a global mainstream audience.

Meanwhile, WWE’s programming and streaming strategies are evolving concurrently. With Peacock’s price adjustments announced, WWE is positioning itself to capitalize on increased subscriber revenues during this historic farewell year[1]. This tug between maintaining TV ratings and streaming subscribers reflects the overall entertainment industry’s shift and WWE’s efforts to ensure large-scale fan engagement for Cena’s last year.

What’s Next for John Cena Post-Retirement?

Though Cena is retiring from in-ring competition, he has expressed a strong desire to remain connected to WWE in other capacities. He has shown interest in being involved when Monday Night Raw moves to Netflix in January 2026, indicating a transition from active wrestling to possible commentary, backstage roles, or ambassador duties for WWE[1].

This continued involvement mirrors careers of previous WWE legends who found new life in mentoring, acting as brand ambassadors, or participating in select storylines without active competition.

In summary, WWE fans and the wider wrestling world will see John Cena’s in-ring career officially close through a carefully planned and extended farewell tour throughout 2025. From global appearances to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas as his final WWE match, Cena’s retirement is shaping up to be a landmark moment not only for WWE but for sports entertainment as a whole.

As the countdown continues, fans should stay tuned to official WWE channels, Fightful coverage, and key wrestling podcasts for ongoing updates, special appearances, and exclusive backstage insights on “The Greatest of All Time.” Sources close to Cena and WWE confirm that this year-long farewell is just the start of a new chapter for the wrestling legend, whose impact will be felt long after the final bell rings.