“This needs to consume your life to be great”: John Cena opens up about his retirement from WWE in 2025

John Cena, the newly crowned Undisputed Champion, who is currently on his retirement tour, has shared some significant information related to his retirement from WWE after such a successful career in the company for almost 25 years.
The Cenation leader, who was seen at WrestleMania 41 on April 20, 2025, and won the title against The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes at the WWE Undisputed Championship, will say goodbye to the ring this year in December.
Regarding this Cena very candidly opened up about his retirement and shared his opinion about it. Let’s find out what the Cenation leader has to say about his farewell.

In a candid interview with ESPN, John Cena has opened up about his retirement and emphasized the dedication required to excel in the wrestling industry. While speaking with ESPN, the 17-time WWE World Champion opened up about his retirement and focusing on dedication to playing wrestling.

He said, "This needs to consume your life to be great, not only consume your life, but you really have to be curious, passionate, open, humble. I can only imagine that if you are not fully focused, coachable, and 100% involved in fight training. So, in me trying to split time and thinking that I can do both, I just did this a lot less and less and was used accordingly."
Cena also discussed the natural progression of a wrestler's career, noting, "As you are ushered on the way out, you're supposed to build all this energy and then give it away. That's the cycle of life in sports entertainment.”

He further added, “If you leave with the energy, you have robbed the business. So me saying this over and over again, I was like, 'Man, I haven't won a match since this [time]. I'm 48 next week,' so I was like, 'Oh man, it's time to retire.' That's when I was like, 'I'd like to do this farewell tour.’”
Despite his losses over the years, Cena seems to be in a winning streak with Elimination Chamber 2025 and now with WrestleMania 41, becoming a 17-time WWE World Champion in the history of professional wrestling.
Also Read: Bayley’s WrestleMania 41 removal sparks contract end speculation with WWE | WWE News - The Times of India
As Cena approaches his 48th birthday, he remains resolute in his decision to retire, aiming to conclude his in-ring career with integrity and respect for the sport. Though Cena reigns as the Undisputed WWE Champion, he will be next seen against Randy Orton, becoming his first challenger.