John Cena’s WWE Retirement Timeline Set: Final Match Projected for December at Boston’s TD Garden

pranithkumarkanna@gmail.com|Modified on Aug 08, 2025, 15:25 GMT

WWE’s iconic 16-time world champion, John Cena, is officially nearing the end of his legendary in-ring career, with sources confirming that his retirement match will take place by mid-December 2025. This milestone marks the culmination of a farewell tour spanning multiple cities and major WWE events throughout the year.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the evolution of WWE’s 2025 pay-per-view event schedule, including the addition of the July Evolution event and a second night of SummerSlam, effectively secures November’s Survivor Series as the final major event on Peacock before Cena’s swan song[3]. This scheduling leaves December open for a special event to feature Cena’s last WWE match as part of Saturday Night’s Main Event, slated to air live on NBC and Peacock.

Cena himself revealed in July 2025 that the retirement match is planned for mid-December, although WWE is still deciding on the exact venue[3]. However, in a recent local interview, Cena’s father hinted that the match will be held at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts—less than an hour from where the WWE legend grew up[3]. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reinforced this possibility, noting Saturday, December 13th as the likely date, since the Garden has no public bookings for that night[3].

John Cena’s Extensive 2025 Retirement Tour

John Cena’s farewell tour in 2025 promises to be a significant affair, with over 30 appearances planned across North America, Europe, and Australia. Sources from WWE.com and Fightful reveal that Cena is set to wrestle in roughly 35 to 40 markets during the year, many promoted as “John Cena’s last time in…” events to give fans a chance to bid him farewell[2][5].

Some of the notable confirmed appearances and events on Cena’s retirement itinerary include:

May 30: WWE SmackDown in Knoxville, Tennessee
June 7: Money in the Bank in Los Angeles, California
August 2-3: SummerSlam in East Rutherford, New Jersey
August 31: Clash in Paris, France
October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
December (Tentative): Special event at Boston’s TD Garden

John Cena also continues to maintain his presence on WWE television during this farewell run, including multiple WWE Raw and SmackDown appearances as he builds towards WrestleMania 41 in April 2025—another key date fans look forward to on his retirement roadmap[2][4].

The End of an Era: Cena’s Legacy in WWE

John Cena, often lauded as “The Greatest of All Time,” announced his official WWE retirement earlier this year during a surprise appearance at the Money in the Bank event in Toronto. The superstar thanked fans for decades of support, outlining that 2025 would feature his final Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania 41, and a full farewell tour culminating with the anticipated final match[1].

Sources close to Cena have revealed that the WWE is working to ensure his farewell shows receive significant broadcast exposure, particularly through WWE’s streaming partner Peacock and free-to-air NBC. The decision to place his retirement match in December, separate from the traditional premium live events, underscores WWE’s intent to make it a unique and memorable occasion[3].

Additional WWE News: GUNTHER’s Reaction to a “Mark” Fan and Peacock Price Hike

In other WWE news, recent backstage reports highlight GUNTHER’s recent strong criticism of a “mark” fan—a term WWE wrestlers sometimes use to describe fans who believe wrestling storylines are real—showing tension between performers and the fanbase over expectations versus reality. Details on this incident remain limited but have sparked discussion on social media about fans’ roles in wrestling[reference article context].

Also, WWE fans streaming on Peacock should be prepared for a price increase if they maintain their subscriptions. Insider reports suggest rising costs linked to the evolving content rights and WWE’s expanded PLE schedule for 2025, which includes more high-profile events streamed exclusively on Peacock[reference article context].

As the WWE universe watches the last chapter of John Cena’s active wrestling career unfold, anticipation is building for his December sendoff in Boston—promising a historic evening befitting one of WWE’s most decorated superstars. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to WWE.com, official WWE social media, and trusted wrestling news outlets for confirmation on the final match date and ticket information.

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