INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Of all the things that have made John Cena one of the the prominent names in wrestling history, an underrated aspect of him is his honesty. What you see on screen and in the ring is what you get outside of it.
So when John Cena talks about the uncertainty of capturing a 17th WWE championship – which would be the most in company history – he means it.
When he came out for the first Monday Night Raw on Netflix, back in Southern California where his wrestling career began, fans probably expected him to announce his quest for history and lay out the plans to face some of the biggest names and champions. Instead, Cena wasn’t so sure. He was hopeful, yes – but plenty of doubt rests in his mind.
He doesn’t see it happening, and his time is almost up.
“I just want to set realistic expectations for everyone,” Cena said. “I will give you everything I got. You got my word, I always have. I’ve always given you everything I have. I just don’t know what that looks like.”
When Cena announced in July he would be ending his wrestling career for good in 2025, the speculation and hope from the WWE universe was that the decorated star would capture the top prize in the company one last time, and by any means necessary. In a time where anyone will make a case that someone is being buried on the roster over a veteran just getting the title because of the name, people want Cena to bury anyone and everyone on a path to No. 17.
The only problem is, Cena shuns any thought of it.
“I know how hard it is to go from the bottom to the middle of the menu to the semi main event to get that spot,” he said. “What I didn’t want to do – in the last time we share some time with each other – is walk in and demand it, because that’s not fair to the current WWE locker room. That’s not fair to the audience, and that feels bad.”
It’s hard to come to grasp with, but it is also refreshing. Cena understands he isn’t the same person that could put in main event performances night in and night out. He is 47 and about to turn 48 just after WrestleMania 41 in April.
Yes, Cena is just one year older than CM Punk, but he clearly isn’t showing signs of ending his time soon. He’s putting in the work to make a claim for a championship shot and make sure he can continue his run past 2025. Meanwhile, Cena is just trying to make sure his body can hold up for the next 358 days.
Starting the farewell tour in the Los Angeles area is a bit coincidental, since it was less than 10 years ago the city saw something similar. It is very reminiscent of how Kobe Bryant did his last season in the NBA. After giving basketball all he could and becoming one of the game’s and Los Angeles’ greats, Bryant wasn’t chasing a championship to go out on top. That Lakers team actually won only 17 games and finished last in the Western Conference.
But what that last season of basketball was for Bryant was to just take a moment and appreciate all he did for basketball. He was given tributes and standing ovations in every city he traveled to, and during the grind of that 82-game season, was doing everything he could to make sure he could make it to the end. And did he ever, putting up one last signature performance in his last time lacing up the sneakers.
It’s just about the same when it comes to Cena. As much as it would be sweet to win one more, he doesn’t need to and doesn’t have to. Would his legacy be tainted if he didn’t win gold in his final year of competing? No, the overall consensus about him won’t change.
That’s where most WWE fans are missing the point of this entire run. Cena didn’t have to come back for one last dance; no one would’ve had a problem if he just decided wrestling was in the past. This farewell tour is all about celebrating the accomplishments and moments that helped Cena become the main event of the century, and showing us glimpses that Father Time hasn’t completely caught up to him yet.
Just like how basketball fans soaked in every last fadeaway jumper, every wrestling fan should take a moment to show appreciation and gratitude in every last Attitude Adjustment and Five-Knuckle Shuffle. It doesn’t need to be done chasing for championship gold for it to be special, it’s already going to be a remarkable ride.
Of course, Cena couldn’t leave the window completely closed. He will be competing in the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match, which would guarantee him a WrestleMania 41 title shot should he win the match for a third time. The odds are slim, but Cena can’t be counted out. Who knows? Maybe he’ll have an epic final performance just like Bryant.
However, if the Royal Rumble comes and he doesn’t win, that’s OK. If he doesn’t get a shot at Elimination Chamber, that’s OK. And if he doesn’t end WrestleMania with gold in his hands, that’s OK.
It’s remarkable that Cena gave more than two decades of greatness to this form of art.
“We spent like 23 years together,” Cena said. “This is our last time to get together and make some noise. Whatever comes to that, comes to that.
“I just want to get us together one more time to have a good time.”
There are likely generations of fans that will be emotional seeing the man they grew up with ending his career, and younger ones that are going to marvel at the fact they got to see Cena in their life. No matter how this run ends, it will be one that will be cherished in the lives of WWE fans for as long as they can remember.
So the time is now. Enjoy every second of it.