John Cena is one of the biggest icons in WWE history. With a career spanning over two decades, The Cenation Leader has defined eras, main-evented countless shows, and given fans memories that will last forever.
However, with his retirement tour set to end in December 2025, many fans feel that it’s just not enough. Cena deserves a grander send-off, one that befits his legendary career. Extending his farewell run until WrestleMania 42 could be the perfect solution.
Here are five powerful reasons why John Cena needs to stretch his farewell tour just a little longer:
❌ #5. Heel Run Wasted Six Months of His Tour
Cena’s shocking heel turn earlier this year was bold but controversial. While it gave WWE some unpredictable moments, it derailed the celebratory vibe of his retirement run for nearly half a year.
Fans were expecting nostalgia and feel-good matches, not betrayal and villainy. Extending the tour until WrestleMania would help make up for those “lost” six months, giving the WWE Universe the true farewell they craved.
💭 #4. Unfulfilled Dream Matches Still Await
John Cena has already clashed with legends like Randy Orton and CM Punk on this farewell journey. But there are still unanswered fan dreams:
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Cena vs. AJ Styles (a final chapter to their rivalry)
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Cena vs. Seth Rollins (a battle of eras)
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Cena vs. Roman Reigns (unfinished business with The Tribal Chief)
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Cena vs. rising stars like Bron Breakker or Jacob Fatu
By extending his run, Cena could gift fans a few more “once-in-a-lifetime” dream matches before walking away forever.
❤️ #3. A More Emotional Farewell With the Fans
Cena has always said his legacy is not about titles, but about the fans who never gave up on him. Retiring in December feels rushed and abrupt, leaving little time for fans to truly say goodbye.
If Cena extended until WrestleMania, it would give him the chance to share that emotional journey with the audience, week by week. His final gift could be giving the WWE Universe the closure and gratitude they deserve.
🎬 #2. Unfinished Business With The Rock
Cena’s heel turn earlier this year was tied to a shocking alliance with The Rock. But since then, The Final Boss has disappeared, leaving fans with an unresolved storyline.
Stretching Cena’s run to WrestleMania 42 would allow WWE to finally give fans the Rock vs. Cena closure they’ve been waiting for since their Hollywood-fueled saga reignited. Two icons, one last time, on the grandest stage—it writes itself.
🏟️ #1. WrestleMania is the Only Stage Fit for Cena’s Retirement
Perhaps the biggest reason of all: Cena’s retirement should not happen at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. Fans see this as a downgrade for one of WWE’s greatest ever.
John Cena deserves nothing less than a WrestleMania farewell. Ending his career at the Grandest Stage of Them All would immortalize his send-off, ensuring his legendary run closes with the grandeur it deserves.
Imagine it: Cena’s final walk down the WrestleMania ramp, the crowd chanting “Thank you, Cena!” as he bows out forever. That’s the exit The Franchise Player has earned.
👊 Final Word
John Cena has always lived by the motto: “Never Give Up.” Extending his farewell tour until WrestleMania 42 isn’t about breaking a promise—it’s about giving the fans the farewell they deserve and writing the perfect final chapter to his unparalleled legacy.
🎭 John Cena’s Retirement Match at WrestleMania 42 – Fantasy Booking
🏟️ Setting the Stage
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WrestleMania 42 takes place in front of 80,000+ screaming fans.
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John Cena has announced this will 100% be his last match ever.
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WWE markets it as:
“The Final Chapter: John Cena’s Last Ride.”
🤔 The Opponent Options
There are three realistic and emotional choices for Cena’s final opponent:
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Randy Orton – Cena’s greatest rival, a story spanning 20 years. A poetic “last dance.”
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Roman Reigns – The Tribal Chief, symbolizing Cena passing the torch to WWE’s modern face.
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Cody Rhodes – The American Nightmare, representing the future Cena helped inspire.
👉 For maximum emotional payoff, let’s book Randy Orton as the opponent.
📖 The Storyline
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Cena announces his farewell match but says:
“For 20 years, one man has been there every step of the way. He was my greatest rival, my greatest ally, and the man who pushed me to be better. There’s only one way this ends – John Cena vs. Randy Orton, one last time.” -
Orton accepts, promising he’ll end Cena’s career with the same move he’s used for decades: The RKO.
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The build is filled with nostalgia: clips from their 2007-2014 wars, promos showing mutual respect but lingering competitiveness.
🔥 The Match (WrestleMania 42 Main Event)
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Both enter with special entrances: Cena in a retro “Doctor of Thuganomics” vibe mixed with modern gear; Orton with a giant snake pyro tribute to his Legend Killer days.
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The match is a classic 20-minute battle:
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Cena hits the AA → Orton kicks out.
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Orton nails an RKO out of nowhere → Cena barely survives.
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The crowd chants “This is awesome!”
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Final moments: Cena lifts Orton for the AA, but Orton reverses into a brutal mid-air RKO → 1, 2, 3.
😱 The Aftermath
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The crowd is stunned but emotional. Cena stays down for a long time.
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Orton helps Cena up. They hug, and Orton raises Cena’s hand.
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Cena takes the mic:
“For 20 years, you’ve all been my family. I may be done in this ring, but I will never leave you. Thank you… for letting me be your champion.” -
Fans chant “Thank you, Cena!” as he leaves his hat and armband in the middle of the ring.
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WrestleMania ends with Cena on the ramp, saluting one last time.
🌟 Why This Works
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Closure with Orton: Cena’s greatest rival gets the honor of being his final opponent.
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Passing the Torch: Cena puts over another legend, keeping Orton strong in his late career.
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Emotional Send-Off: Fans get the closure they’ve wanted for two decades.
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WrestleMania Moment: Cena’s retirement becomes a historic spectacle, replayed for decades.
🏟️ John Cena vs. Roman Reigns – WrestleMania 42 Retirement Match
🌌 The Storyline Build
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Cena announces his retirement is coming at WrestleMania 42 but says:
“If this is my last match, I want the biggest test of my life. I want the man who defines this era — Roman Reigns.” -
Roman responds coldly:
“John, I respect what you’ve done, but this is my era now. At WrestleMania, I’ll do what I should’ve done years ago — end John Cena once and for all.” -
The build revolves around Cena being the hero of the past vs. Roman as the final boss of WWE’s present.
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Heavy video packages play showing their 2017 and 2021 clashes, reminding fans Cena has never beaten Reigns in a singles PPV match.
🎤 Promo Highlights
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Cena: “If I can’t beat you, then maybe I don’t belong here anymore.”
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Roman: “You’re right, John. You don’t belong here anymore.”
🔥 The Match (Main Event)
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Big fight feel. Crowd is electric, half chanting “Let’s go Cena!” and half “Roman sucks!”
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Cena unloads everything: multiple Attitude Adjustments, a top-rope AA, even an STF locked in deep. Roman refuses to quit.
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Roman dominates with Superman Punches and Spears, but Cena keeps kicking out at 2.9.
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Final sequence:
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Cena goes for one last AA.
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Roman slips out, hits a Superman Punch → Spear → 1-2-3.
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Roman wins clean. Cena lies motionless as the crowd gives a standing ovation.
😱 Post-Match Moment
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Roman doesn’t celebrate right away. He looks down at Cena, nodding in respect.
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He allows Cena to stand, and they have a silent stare-down.
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Cena extends his hand → Roman shakes it.
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Cena raises Roman’s arm, acknowledging him as the face of WWE moving forward.
🎇 The Final Farewell
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Cena cuts a short, emotional speech:
“Tonight wasn’t about me. It was about the future. Roman Reigns is the future. But for the last 20 years… you all have been my life. I love you. I thank you. And I’ll never forget you.” -
He leaves his cap, wristbands, and dog tags in the middle of the ring.
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The show ends with Cena standing at the ramp, saluting as fireworks explode — the end of an era.
🌟 Why This Works
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Cena loses to Roman, solidifying Roman as the ultimate face of WWE.
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It gives Cena the epic, emotional retirement at WWE’s biggest stage.
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Roman benefits from retiring Cena, adding to his legendary resume.
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Fans get closure — Cena went out fighting the top guy of today.
🎤 John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes – WrestleMania 42 Farewell Match
🌌 The Storyline Build
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Cena announces WrestleMania 42 will be his last match.
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Cody interrupts:
“John, you’ve been the standard-bearer for 20 years. If you’re going out, go out against the man who’s carrying WWE into the future.” -
Cena replies:
“Cody, you talk about finishing your story… but my story ends at WrestleMania 42. If you want me, you’ve got me.” -
WWE frames it as a torch-passing battle: The Franchise Player vs. The American Nightmare.
🎤 Promo Highlights
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Cody: “I grew up in this business watching you. But I’m not here to be the next John Cena — I’m here to be the first Cody Rhodes.”
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Cena: “Cody, if I can’t beat you, then it proves I don’t belong here anymore.”
🔥 The Match (Co-Main Event / Final Match of Cena’s Career)
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Big match presentation with classic WrestleMania entrances.
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Cody’s family (Dusty Rhodes’ legacy references) and Cena’s history (video package of Make-A-Wish, titles, feuds) are highlighted.
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The match is a technical + emotional battle.
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Cena pulls out old moves rarely used: a top-rope leg drop, a new submission attempt.
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Cody survives multiple Attitude Adjustments.
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Cena survives Cross Rhodes twice.
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Final sequence:
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Cena goes for a Super AA.
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Cody reverses → three Cross Rhodes in a row → 1-2-3.
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Cody Rhodes defeats John Cena.
😱 Post-Match Moment
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Crowd chants “Thank you Cena!”
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Cody kneels down, whispers “Thank you for everything” to Cena.
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Cena raises Cody’s hand, endorsing him as the new face of WWE.
🎇 The Final Farewell
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Cena cuts his last speech:
“For 20 years, I’ve lived my dream because of you. I gave everything I had, and tonight, I leave it all here. Cody Rhodes… finish your story. And WWE Universe… never give up.” -
Cena leaves his cap, wristbands, and dog tags in the ring.
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He salutes the crowd one last time as fireworks explode — WrestleMania ends with tears, cheers, and respect.
🌟 Why This Works
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Cody defeating Cena cements him as the true torchbearer of WWE’s future.
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Cena gets the emotional, respectful retirement at WrestleMania.
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Fans get closure: Cena didn’t just lose, he chose the right person to carry on his legacy.
