John Cena will make his final appearance as an in-ring WWE competitor tonight in Washington DC, closing a 23-year career that established him as one of the most influential performers in wrestling history. The match follows the conclusion of “The Last Time Is Now” tournament, where 16 wrestlers competed for the right to face him. Gunther, a former world heavyweight champion, won the tournament and will stand opposite Cena in his retirement bout.
Cena debuted in 2002 and became WWE’s leading figure through the 2000s and 2010s, evolving from a brash newcomer to the “Doctor of Thuganomics” and ultimately to the company’s heroic centrepiece. His “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase and “Never Give Up” ethos became ingrained in WWE’s global identity.
Across 8,570 days as an active wrestler, Cena won 17 world titles and served as WWE’s most significant commercial attraction during the pay-per-view era, consistently boosting ratings, merchandise sales and touring events. Analysts say his influence was central during WWE’s transition to a more family-friendly PG era from 2005 onwards.
Fans describe him as charismatic, driven and dependable. Supporters say that respect for Cena deepened over time, both for his performances and his public persona. His rise also coincided with WWE’s search for a new marquee name following the reduced schedules of stars like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Cena’s success extended far beyond the ring. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most Make-A-Wish requests granted, fulfilling more than 650 wishes for children with critical illnesses. His broader career includes acting roles, children’s books, music releases and campaigns for brands such as Neutrogena, where he highlighted skin cancer prevention after his own diagnosis of sun-related spots.
Cena has repeatedly said the physical demands of wrestling led to his decision to retire. His career has involved multiple surgeries, including procedures on his neck, pectoral muscle and triceps. He has said his “body hurts” and is “screaming to close the chapter.”
His retirement run has featured matches against longtime rivals and newer stars, although some fans questioned aspects of the storytelling, including a brief heel turn earlier this year. Nonetheless, many view his farewell tour as a historic moment for WWE.
While Cena’s in-ring career ends tonight, he will remain closely connected to wrestling. He has signed a five-year deal to serve as a WWE ambassador. His match with Gunther will be available on WWE’s official YouTube channel in the UK, Netflix internationally and Peacock in the US.