It’s finally here: the John Cena Farewell Tour.

Last year, longtime WWE Superstar John Cena announced he would fully retire from wrestling at the end of 2025, ruling out any part-time run in the future. In return, the 47-year-old wrestler-turned-actor will participate full-time throughout 2025.

For many wrestling fans, this will be a nostalgic trip from a man that carried WWE through some of its most challenging times. Throughout much of the 2000s, Cena was a rising star who earned top billing by the end of the decade but it was the 2010s that solidified his legacy.

Now, 23 years after his debut, Cena is officially hanging up his Jorts, likely to pursue more fully acting or other facets of the entertainment world. While many will just see Cena as a professional wrestler, he is so much more.

For one, he has achieved meme status. Even non-wrestling fans get the jokes surrounding Cena’s iconic wrestling line, “You can’t see me.” There are plenty of pictures that feature Cena standing next to someone else only for people to feign disbelief that the other person would pose for a picture alone.

It’s ridiculous and to his credit, Cena has learned to roll with this and has sharpened his improv skills off it. This had always been a joke when he wrestled, but it’s really taken off since he’s jumped to Hollywood.

Which brings us to another point, his acting career. He may not be the best wrestler-turned-actor, but he’s definitely carved out a niche for himself.

In the nerd culture world, he has taken the lead in HBO’s Peacemaker and has done a fantastic job in that spot. He’s also appeared in numerous other comedies and Fast and Furious 9.

He may not be top-billing, but he does continue to make the rounds in the entertainment world beyond the wrestling ring. If anything, he’s become a strong personality that can show up on late-night TV or an award show. It’s a lot of fun to see.

Which brings me to my last point of John Cena and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

As mentioned, Cena was the face of WWE for years. He was the biggest babyface (good guy) throughout this time and always stood for what was right.

This proved popular with the kids, leading Cena to fulfill wishes for children as far back as 2002. In 2022, he set the record for most wishes granted with 650.

This feat is really impressive given that he officially moved away from full-time wrestling in 2017 though he still came back regularly. He still appeared in a part-time capacity and continued to grant wishes through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

While many may not realize it, there definitely will be an end of an era as 2025 comes to a close. Cena has always been loyal to WWE and its fans, despite their hesitation to embrace him as the face of the company.

The shift in perception is obvious as the boos have turned to cheers and the “Cena sucks” chants are said with adoration rather than contempt. It’s like the entire WWE fanbase realized what Cena had given them.

Whether you’re a wrestling fan or not, John Cena has had a deep impact on the entertainment world so seeing him take a farewell tour will be bittersweet.

Wrestling and WWE was what gave him the fame he needed to make the leap and in 12 short months, it will no longer be a part of his life.

All I can say is, “Thank you, Cena.”

Featured Image: WWE (via Marca)

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