I’m Finally Coming To Terms With John Cena’s Looming Retirement, But I’m Not Gonna Be Happy If A Few Specific Things Don’t Happen

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Back in the summer preceding my high school years, John Cena first appeared on the WWE scene in June 2002. Over the years since then, this illustrious multiple-time WWE Champion, a wrestler-turned-actor who has left an indelible mark on the industry, has achieved virtually everything there is to achieve in professional wrestling: headlining WrestleMania on numerous occasions, capturing 16 world titles, winning the Royal Rumble, and granting more wishes through Make-a-Wish than any other individual. However, as his career comes to a close, I find myself accepting this reality.

Before John Cena retires from WWE later this year, there are certain events I’d like to witness. It won’t spoil my enjoyment of wrestling or my appreciation for it, but I must admit, I won’t be entirely content if these things don’t occur before the conclusion of his career in the ring.

I Want To See John Cena Show Up For More Than Just The Premium Live Events

2025’s first episode of Raw was a night to remember, packed with exciting moments such as WWE’s Netflix premiere, Hulk Hogan receiving a chilly reception from the crowd, and some fantastic television matches. One standout moment was John Cena’s return, where he shared his ambitions for the remainder of his illustrious career. Towards the end of his speech, Cena revealed his intention to join the Royal Rumble later on, aiming to contest for a title at WrestleMania 41.

I’m thrilled to see him return, but I genuinely hope that John Cena makes more frequent appearances beyond just the premium live events. To be clear, I don’t expect him to appear in every episode of Raw and SmackDown (although I wouldn’t complain if he did), but if this is his final run, I want it to be more substantial than a string of occasional appearances on a part-time basis. He owes both the fans and himself a more significant involvement.

I’m Not Going To Lie, I Want One Final Title Run For Cena

It never crossed my mind that I would make this suggestion, but I believe John Cena deserves a last title match during his final year as a wrestler. This man has already tied Ric Flair with 16 world championship reigns and is just one away from breaking the all-time record in WWE. There’s no other way to conclude the career of such an iconic and successful wrestler than by letting him surpass Ric Flair in this category, and I firmly believe that John Cena is the perfect choice for the task.

Ever since John Cena dropped the WWE Championship to Bray Wyatt at Elimination Chamber in February 2017, he hasn’t claimed any title within the WWE. It’s been eight years now, and it seems long overdue for him to hoist the championship belt high once more.

But This Doesn’t Mean I Want A Year Of ‘Cena Wins LOL’

For over a decade now, the “Cena Wins LOL” meme was one of the most popular jokes in wrestling during the first 15 years of this century. In essence, John Cena would leverage his catchphrase of “hustle, loyalty, respect” (alongside whatever phrase he was marketing on t-shirts, wristbands, headbands, and towels) to triumph against all odds and snatch a victory out of the blue.

This time, I’m not implying a desire for it to be so, and I believe such an event is unlikely. Over the past eight years or so, Cena has shown increased humanity and vulnerability within the ring, with more losses than victories. However, I don’t foresee WWE following this path, and there are solid reasons behind that decision.

I Need To See Cena Have At Least One More Match With CM Punk

Over time, John Cena and CM Punk have had numerous encounters, and their WWE Championship match during Money in the Bank 2011 garnered the company its initial 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer in 14 years. Their bouts on pay-per-view, rare piledriver moves in Monday Night Raw, and countless house show matches have provided wrestling enthusiasts with moments they’ll never forget. I’d be thrilled to witness at least one more confrontation between these longstanding rivals.

Regardless if it’s for another match on Raw next month, a moment in May, or the main event at SummerSlam later this year, I’m eager to witness their battle once more. They share an exceptional connection, are capable of weaving captivating narratives together, and have a proven track record of achieving remarkable feats. Triple H, make it so!

In Fact, I Would Love A Series Of One-Off Matches Against Other Former Rivals Like Randy Orton And Kevin Owens

Before John Cena retires, it would be exciting to witness him engaged in a sequence of matches against past adversaries. While his prolonged rivalry with Randy Orton during the late 2000s and early 2010s left me a bit exhausted, I must admit that I’d enjoy another encounter between these seasoned competitors.

Just like that, Kevin Owens entered the main roster in 2015 by unexpectedly challenging John Cena (a match worth mentioning, I might add). As a seasoned pro and one of the toughest wrestlers in WWE today, it would be thrilling to witness these two face off again.

Cena Has To Put A Younger Wrestler Over And Pass The Torch In His Final Match

According to John Cena, he plans to retire from wrestling in December, and it seems fitting that he should do so after losing a match – effectively “going down” before calling it a career. A great way to end his career would be by letting a younger wrestler win, symbolically passing the torch to them.

There’s been plenty of talk about Gunther potentially facing Cena in this final phase, and I believe that matchup seems most plausible. If Gunther manages to defeat Cena, it would solidify Ring General’s status as a leading figure not just within the company, but across the wrestling industry. However, I’d also be thrilled if someone like Dominik Mysterio, who’s rapidly rising as a genuine star, could score the final pinfall on Cena instead.

I’m eagerly anticipating John Cena’s final year of wrestling, hoping for some spectacular matches and a fitting farewell. If you’d like to catch these memorable moments (or reminisce about his past), you can do so by subscribing to Peacock.

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2025-01-14 13:07