On Dec. 13, 2025, John Cena competed in his final WWE match, shedding to the “Ring Normal” Gunther by tapping out, ending his year-long retirement tour.
There have been some highlights alongside the best way, however total, WWE mishandled Cena’s farewell tour. It began on the Royal Rumble, the place he competed in his first of 18 matches in the course of the farewell tour. Over the approaching months, it would be a bumpy trip earlier than ending with the flat Gunther match.
18. Brock Lesnar squash at Wrestlepalooza
To nobody’s shock, the Cena squash at Wrestlepalooza was completely the worst match of this run. There was no want for Cena to be decimated a la SummerSlam 2014.
This was additionally Brock Lesnar’s first match since his return from a two-year hiatus. No matter his out-of-the-ring controversies, he had a reasonably respectable feud with Cody Rhodes in the summertime of 2023 to assist construct the “American Nightmare” again up after WrestleMania 39.
Lesnar vs. Cena was lazy, and it felt like WWE was desperately making an attempt to play the best hits throughout their first PLE as a part of the ESPN deal.
Thoughts you, this got here after Cena’s latest babyface activate the heels of a puzzling and directionless heel flip. So, this was a possibility to construct Cena up once more earlier than the house stretch of the farewell tour.
17. The “By no means Seen 17” Cody Rhodes WrestleMania 41 match
Heading into WrestleMania 41, there was some intrigue in Cena’s match in opposition to Cody Rhodes. For one, the parallels are apparent between Cena and Rhodes’ standing within the firm. The “American Nightmare” is now positioned because the John Cena of WWE in 2025.
Nonetheless, this was Cena’s first match since turning heel for the primary time in twenty years. That meant he needed to modify an already restricted moveset into one thing a heel would use.
The sluggish, methodical tempo actually hindered the match. Cena nonetheless did his signature shoulder tackles, now hitting every with extra aggression and with out the pace he normally would hit them at.
All of that, mixed with the Travis Scott cameo, made his record-setting seventeenth world championship win really feel meaningless. It was a tragic strategy to watch the “Best of All Time” win his final world championship. This was imagined to be a celebrated second. As a substitute, it was marred by a boring tempo and a celeb cameo.
16. The opposite R-Reality match (SmackDown, June 20)
Two weeks after R-Reality’s stunning return after his launch at Cash within the Financial institution, he confronted Cena on an episode of Friday Night time SmackDown.
The match was temporary, and it was used as a stepping stone to construct to Cena vs. CM Punk at Night time of Champions the next weekend.
Like the following match on this listing, this match is not remembered for the in-ring motion. As a substitute, it is remembered for Cena’s pipebomb promo after the match. Cena bought himself disqualified by hitting R-Reality with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt, successfully ending his return arc that appeared significant.
15. R-Reality at Saturday Night time’s Primary Occasion (Might 24)
The primary match in opposition to R-Reality (earlier than his launch) occurred on the Might version of Saturday Night time’s Primary Occasion. It was a brief contest, and one of the best half was R-Reality’s entrance.
Since Cena was withholding his signature entrance from followers, R-Reality made up for it, absolutely decked out in colourful John Cena gear, and he got here out to his tune.
14. His tag group match with Cody Rhodes (SmackDown, Aug. 8)
One of many worst components of Cena’s farewell tour is what number of appearances devoid of matches he made. Whereas half of his 36 appearances featured matches, the opposite half had been promos.
Throughout the 18 matches he had, Cena had a number of tag group bouts. On one hand, most of these matches permit him to combine it up with extra Superstars. Then again, the matches can really feel meaningless.
After shedding the Undisputed WWE Championship to Rhodes at SummerSlam, they teamed as much as face Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. On paper, it is a nice star-studded affair. Nonetheless, Cena had already teamed with and now in opposition to Paul, and he had two singles matches in opposition to Rhodes thus far.
The one attention-grabbing side was having McIntyre within the match. Cena by no means bought a singles match in opposition to the “Scottish Warrior,” which stays one of many greatest missteps in the course of the farewell tour.
This additionally resulted in a disqualification, compounding the already evident ambivalence most felt with this match. Only a lazy, uninspiring tag group bout.
13. His final RAW match (Nov. 17)
Throughout Cena’s final look on RAW, which emanated from Madison Sq. Backyard, he confronted the Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, and JD McDonagh.
Cena teamed up with two former rivals, neither of whom bought to have a match in opposition to him in the course of the farewell tour: Rey Mysterio and Sheamus.
In contrast to the Paul-McIntyre tag group match, this did really feel like a pleasant send-off from Mysterio and Sheamus. Whereas they’re each legends, they weren’t afforded the luxurious of a singles bout. So, having them group up with Cena was a pleasant manner of giving them their second.
The draw back is that this meant Cena would not have a singles match throughout his final RAW. He had already crushed Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship per week earlier, however he was additionally set to face him once more at Survivor Sequence: WarGames the next weekend.
General, the motion was serviceable. Madison Sq. Backyard holds a particular place within the John Cena canon, and it is a somewhat forgettable entry within the story, save for it being his final RAW.
12. His tag group bout with Logan Paul (Cash within the Financial institution)
Earlier than reverting to a babyface, Cena teamed up with Paul to face Jey Uso and Rhodes at Cash within the Financial institution. Because it was a PLE, there was further effort from the blokes.
In the end, it was one other unmemorable occasion within the farewell tour. Why did Cena need to have a lot of Logan Paul in his farewell tour?
Paul is a good athlete, and his moonsault onto the announcer’s desk was unbelievable. However the match was only a setup for R-Reality’s epic return.
11. The Royal Rumble
During the last couple of years, the Royal Rumble has been largely uninspiring. WWE normally telegraphs their winners, and all of it felt arrange for Cena to win his third Royal Rumble.
As a substitute, it was Uso who gained it, which was admittedly an superior shock. However it felt off. The in-ring portion of Cena’s farewell tour began with the Royal Rumble, and the ending was daring, nevertheless it took the air out of the room.
10. His oldest foe (Backlash: St. Louis)
Cena bought to run it again with Randy Orton at Backlash: St. Louis in Might. This was his first title protection as Undisputed WWE Champion, and his second match as a heel.
The group was scorching, partially as a result of St. Louis is Orton’s hometown and in addition as a result of it was Cena vs. Orton for the final time. They’ve had numerous matches, and their Backlash match was like a “best hits” album.
The spots had been acquainted, however there is a cause WWE ran this matchup numerous instances. The ending was lazy, with R-Reality by accident costing Orton the match by defending his “childhood hero,” Cena.
A definitive winner with out interference would have been good, if for no different cause than to finish their rivalry on a decisive word. As a substitute, Cena gained it how he gained the Undisputed WWE Championship.
9. Grand Slam Champion (RAW, Nov. 10)
Two of Cena’s final 4 matches got here in opposition to Dominik Mysterio. That reveals the unimaginable religion that Cena has in Mysterio, as Rhodes and R-Reality had been the one Superstars that he confronted a number of instances in singles matches throughout his farewell tour.
Their first match occurred throughout Cena’s penultimate look on RAW. The match was for the Intercontinental Championship in entrance of a raucous Boston crowd. Cena is from Massachusetts, so the group was scorching for him.
It was a strong affair, and it nearly ended with Mysterio retaining. A ref bump took the referee out of the equation, and Mysterio nearly cheated his strategy to victory.
One of the best a part of the match was the tribute to Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio tried to drag off Guerrero’s signature tactic, making an attempt to make it seem that Cena hit him with a metal chair. Nonetheless, Cena turned the tables on Mysterio and winked at him for good measure. It was a intelligent bit that added much-needed aptitude to the match.
Cena rolled via a frog splash from Mysterio, delivering an Perspective Adjustment for the win. That was an epic win that topped Cena a Grand Slam Champion.
8. Dominik Mysterio’s hometown win (Survivor Sequence: WarGames)
Lower than three weeks after their first encounter, Cena and Mysterio confronted off once more at Survivor Sequence: WarGames. Whereas Cena beat Mysterio final time round close to his hometown, he would lose to Mysterio in his hometown of San Diego, California.
There was interference from Judgment Day, and it gave followers a final take a look at “Tremendous Cena.” He delivered a double Perspective Adjustment to Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh.
Afterward, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez would ship their signature strikes to Cena, giving them each profession highlights. In the end, Mysterio pulled it off after faking an damage. This got here on the heels of Penta’s shoulder damage earlier within the week, which appeared eerily related.
This was inventive, albeit a bit cynical of WWE to benefit from an actual damage, and it helped give the singles match a novel second. They wanted to seek out one thing new for this encounter, given how not too long ago they’d confronted earlier than it.
Liv Morgan’s return from her shoulder damage was additionally good. She pulled off a double flip, initially slapping Mysterio earlier than turning on Cena.
Cena’s loss was inevitable. However this was the sort of match he ought to have had in opposition to a number of youthful stars. He gave the rub to a number of Superstars, together with established stars like Mysterio and Morgan and people on the rise like Rodriguez and Perez.
7. Elimination Chamber and the heel flip
The entire construct to Elimination Chamber felt bizarre. Cena declared himself for the Elimination Chamber match, sounding considerably entitled in doing so.
Nonetheless, he is a busy actor, and even his farewell tour wasn’t his prime precedence, particularly early within the 12 months. So, you can chalk up the abruptness of his declaration to his schedule.
The Elimination Chamber match was actually enjoyable. It let him combine it up with Paul, Punk, McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and Damian Priest. The ending telegraphed his heel flip when he took benefit of Rollins’ post-elimination assault on Punk. It felt bizarre, however within the warmth of the second, it was straightforward to miss.
What occurred after is one other story, however the in-ring work was enjoyable. There have been some cool spots, and seeing Cena work together with Rollins one final time was a pleasant contact.
6. The second Cody Rhodes match (SummerSlam)
Their first encounter was a misfire, however the second was precisely what it ought to have been all alongside. Certain, a babyface vs. babyface match would not at all times work.
On this case, maybe Cena’s heel flip helped add to the match’s intrigue. Certain, it was a foregone conclusion that Rhodes would regain the Undisputed WWE Championship, however Cena abruptly turning babyface earlier than their SummerSlam bout appeared bizarre.
In the end, Cena was simply again to being a babyface, however going into SummerSlam, there was a slim probability he might flip once more at any second. WWE nonetheless fumbled the heel flip, however the weird nature of it labored out on this particular case.
The match was a “Road Combat,” in order that allowed for the Superstars to do some loopy spots. Cena surprisingly gave all of it, placing his physique on the road in stunning methods. Kudos, Cena.
5. The Paris crowd carried his match vs. Logan Paul (Conflict in Paris)
The group at Conflict in Paris was particular. All of WWE’s latest worldwide reveals have featured unimaginable crowds, and a few have shaken the cameras.
Paul is an athletic freak, and he was an ideal counterpart for Cena at his present age. This match was a pleasant throwback to Cena’s prime, with no interference or underhanded ways from the 17-time world champion.
Did they make Paul look extremely sturdy? Sure. However it was good to see a model of “Tremendous Cena” that has been absent for years, reminiscent of when he hit the roll-through Perspective Adjustment.
In the end, it was good to see Cena again as a babyface in full swing. This was his first singles match win since he returned to being a babyface.
4. CM Punk, one final time: Night time of Champions
CM Punk could also be Cena’s best rival. Their 2011 Cash within the Financial institution and RAW 1,000 matches are two of one of the best of their careers. They ran it again at Night time of Champions, and this was simply Cena’s second protection of the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The construct was nice, and the in-ring motion was enjoyable. Neither Cena nor Punk is of their bodily prime, however they nonetheless know learn how to placed on an excellent match.
Seth Rollins would intervene late, teasing a Cash within the Financial institution cash-in. Whereas that is not a great ending, this made for an excellent throwback to Cena and Punk’s 2011 Cash within the Financial institution conflict when Cena ran Charles Robinson over.
It resulted in shenanigans, as Cena tried a low-blow on Punk after embracing him. Rollins then hit Punk with the Cash within the Financial institution briefcase and hit a curb stomp, resulting in Cena stealing the win.
By way of Cena’s matches as a heel, this was when he and WWE discovered a steadiness along with his moveset. It was beforehand unfathomable to see Cena steal a win, however this labored lots higher than having him put on down Punk with a slowed-down moveset earlier than dishonest to win.
3. The “Final Time is Now” vs. Gunther: Saturday Night time’s Primary Occasion (Dec. 13)
Whereas the ending wasn’t ideally suited, Gunther bought one final nice match out of Cena in his retirement bout. This wasn’t stunning, and the 2 had the proper dynamic for Cena’s final match.
Will probably be marred by the ending. There’s nothing flawed with Cena going out shedding, however the smile as he tapped out felt very very similar to Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope. Maybe it is symbolic to some, nevertheless it felt awkward in actual time.
Gunther and Cena had a back-and-forth matchup. Cena took chops and powerbombs, however he finally tapped out in a stunning transfer.
Now, it is as much as WWE to construct up Gunther after this. There’s an actual probability he retires different legends like AJ Kinds and Brock Lesnar. If he would not, Cena’s final match will solely age worse.
2. A no-contest (SmackDown, Sept. 5)
Surprisingly, the second-best match of Cena’s farewell tour was on Friday Night time SmackDown. He answered Sami Zayn’s United States Open Problem, referencing when Zayn did the identical to Cena a decade earlier.
Cena is previous, and he would not transfer in addition to he as soon as did, however Zayn bought an excellent match out of him. It was a back-and-forth contest, and it might be probably the most partaking match of Cena’s farewell tour.
It ended with Brock Lesnar inflicting a disqualification to construct to his match in opposition to Cena at Wrestlepalooza. In uncommon cases, disqualification finishes are okay. Whereas Zayn getting a clear win over Cena would have been good, Lesnar’s interference to maintain Cena trying sturdy heading into their squash match made sense.
1. The ultimate “phenomenal” match in opposition to AJ Kinds: Crown Jewel
Cena vs. Kinds nearly did not occur. If Cena did not make it occur on social media, there’s an opportunity WWE by no means would have revisited this iconic rivalry from the 2010s.
It is a acquainted theme with Cena’s farewell tour, however he is not as agile as he as soon as was. That goes for Kinds as nicely, who’s solely a few months youthful than Cena.
Regardless, they turned again the clock, making it really feel like 2016 once more. This was undoubtedly one of the best match of Cena’s farewell tour, and it was in entrance of a raucous crowd in Australia at Crown Jewel.
Like his match in opposition to Orton, this was a “best hits” match, with Cena and Kinds paying homage to legends like Orton, Bray Wyatt, and The Undertaker. In the direction of the top of the farewell tour, Cena grew to become seemingly extra open to having enjoyable in his matches. If solely the entire year-long tour had been like this.
The final phrase on John Cena’s farewell tour
Cena’s farewell tour needs to be a warning to different WWE legends. Cena wanting to offer these world wide an opportunity to see him one final time is admirable, however WWE wasted plenty of it.
The heel flip was stunning, however now that it is over, it felt prefer it was only a means to an finish; a manner for WWE to seize headlines, not do one thing significant.
After all, there have been thrilling moments, particularly within the again 9 of the farewell tour. As soon as WWE and Cena embraced that the top was close to, they let unfastened.
If solely the entire tour had been like that. In hindsight, having Cena compete in opposition to a mixture of younger and older stars would have been good. As a substitute, WWE opted to largely have him re-run his “best hits” and face established guys like Rhodes. Guys like Carmelo Hayes, Bron Breakker, and even Oba Femi might have used the rub.
Now, it isn’t value getting upset over. The “Final Time” has now handed, and Cena has ridden off into the sundown. Thanks, Cena, for all the recollections.
