John Cena insists no payday can make him reconsider WWE retirement

The wrestler-turned-actor announced in July that he will be stepping down from the World Wrestling Entertainment company next year. Picture: Bang Showbiz

The wrestler-turned-actor announced in July that he will be stepping down from the World Wrestling Entertainment company next year. Picture: Bang Showbiz

Published Aug 13, 2024

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John Cena has insisted there isn't "enough money" in the world to make him reconsider his WWE retirement.

The 47-year-old wrestler turned actor recently announced he will be hanging up his boots for good in December 2025 after a retirement tour for most of next year, and he won't be plotting a shock comeback once he's had his final match.

He told ComicBook: "There isn't a cheque writer with enough money to change my mind when I hang it up in December. I don't want to continue for ego or financial gain.

"I built a relationship of trust and authenticity over the years with the WWE, and that's people who think I suck and people who believe in me, they know that I shoot them straight and I'm trustworthy.

"I mean what I say: when I'm done in December, I am done. It is the last time I will perform in a ring."

Cena made his official WWE debut on “SmackDown” in 2002, and has wrestled at least one match every single year since then.

The “Jackpot!” actor still plans to be involved in the company in some capacity once he's retired, but he will be swapping his signature outfit - including the jorts - for a suit.

He explained: "I'll be a member of the WWE family as an ambassador and a grateful one, But you will see me wear this (points to suit), not the wristbands, the jorts, the ball cap.

"That, in December 2025, that goes away, and that's the reason why we're putting so much equity and emphasis on this farewell tour."

The “Peacemaker” star - who, like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Dave Bautista and others, have swapped the wrestling ring for the bright lights of Hollywood - wants to create "something special" for generations of fans before he retires.

He said: "It truly is the last time for generations for grandparents and parents and kids to get together in the same time.

"Grandparents could be like, 'I didn't know about wrestling and my son dragged me here.' That son now has a son and daughter of their own, and they like John Cena, and now their kid likes Cody Rhodes.

"I want to try to do something special where we can all get together one last time and, and go through 25 years worth of memories."

Bang Showbiz