WWE wrestler and icon John Cena has officially stepped away from professional wrestling, bringing the curtain down on a legendary career that helped define modern sports entertainment.
The announcement, made on Saturday, marked an emotional turning point for fans worldwide, as one of WWE’s most recognisable faces bid farewell to the ring.
Cena’s final appearance saw him face Gunther at Saturday Night’s main event in Washington, D.C., where he was defeated in what now stands as the closing chapter of his in-ring journey.
The match symbolised not just an ending, but the passing of the torch to a new generation of wrestlers.
In an interview with Tom Rinaldi for WWE earlier this week, Cena candidly explained the reason behind his decision, saying, “I chose to retire. I made a promise to the WWE that I would not stick around when my skills can’t match the product, and they can’t.
"I’m 48. My 40-yard time has gone like [down]. I can’t match up with the product now, and that’s okay, because what I do isn’t who I am.
"The realization of that has helped me come to like, no, let these guys have it now because they’re really good. All I would be doing is a disservice to the consumer if I go any point beyond this.”
As news of his retirement spread, tributes poured in from Indian and international celebrities, many of whom took to social media to honour Cena’s legacy.
Actor Varun Dhawan shared Instagram stories featuring himself posing while Cena’s iconic entrance theme ‘You can’t see me’ played in the background.
He later followed up with more stories showcasing moments from Cena’s final match.
Content creator and actor Lilly Singh also posted a heartfelt video on Instagram stories, reflecting on her personal memories with Cena.
She said, “Obviously I’m tuned in for John Cena’s last match and I’m going down memory lane to when I did my 12 collabs. John Cena came to my house by himself. No publicist, no agent, no manager, drove by himself. The most down to earth celeb I’ve worked with. Obviously I dont see you- but I see you.”
She accompanied her tribute with another video set to ‘You can’t see me’.
Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, paid tribute on X, writing: John, you epitomise one of my favorite quotes, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice”.
"Congratulations on your historic and extraordinary @wwe career, my triend. Have fun, tear it down, and as always, thank you for the house". He also shared a video thanking Cena for his immense contribution to the wrestling world.
WWE legend The Undertaker delivered one of the most emotional messages, revisiting Cena’s debut and career-long values.
He wrote, “Nice job. Those were the words I said to you 23 years ago when you debuted. Now, on the day of your final match, I say again…nice job.
"Hustle, loyalty, and respect is more than just a catch phrase. For 23 years you have lived by those words.
"Your passion for our business and dedication to our fan base is unmatched. To have shared the ring with you and have been a part of your journey has been an honor. As your in ring career winds down, be proud of the body of work and the memories you’ve created.
"Enjoy the last ride tonight my friend and one final time…nice job."
Beyond the wrestling ring, Cena has long shared a strong connection to Bollywood.
He has openly expressed admiration for stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Amitabh Bachchan, and has spoken about his desire to collaborate with them on film projects.
He has also shown enthusiasm for Bollywood music, particularly its high-energy dance numbers and visual grandeur, often hinting at his appreciation through his social media posts.
During an AMA session on X in November, Shah Rukh Khan was asked to describe Cena in one word. The actor responded with heartfelt praise, calling him: “He is a rock star. Very humble and kind.”
Adding to his Bollywood ties, Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared screen space with Cena in the action-comedy Heads of State, which was released in July this year.
As Cena exits the ring for good, the overwhelming response from fans and celebrities alike makes it clear; while we may not “see” him wrestle again, his impact on WWE and global pop culture will remain impossible to ignore.