John Cena is making his final year in WWE a memorable one, confirming that his last match is slated for mid-December 2025. The 17-time World Champion and current reigning WWE Champion has been vocal about his retirement tour throughout the year and has now given fans a concrete timeframe for when he will step away from the ring for good.
During a red carpet interview for his new film “Heads of State,” released on July 2, Cena elaborated on his plans.
“Well, I don’t want to downplay the action in WWE. There’s always a bunch of action over there. Uh, and yes, I’m 48. Uh, my last match will be in mid December. We’re still trying to find out a place to do it, but uh I said 36 dates in January. We’re halfway through. Um, and it’s gosh, it’s been a lot of compelling TV, and I don’t want to spoil it for anybody, but I think we’re just getting started.”
This statement confirms he is actively working with WWE to determine the location for his farewell bout. Having committed to 36 appearances for his final year, the halfway point has now passed, leaving approximately 18 dates on his farewell tour. In a separate interview, Cena reiterated his commitment to giving his all until the very end.
“It’s my final time. I’m done in December. I think the one common thread you’ll find in me for 25 years is I will give you my absolute best. So, regardless of what the TV shows dole out and how we try to entertain audiences, I will leave nothing on the cam. I will leave everything on the cam.”
Cena’s final run has been action-packed. He retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28 and is already advertised for future major events. According to announcements from WWE, he is scheduled to appear on the July 18 episode of WWE SmackDown and is also being advertised for Survivor Series: WarGames, which is set for November 29, 2025.
The leader of the “Cenation” has also clarified that his retirement from in-ring competition does not mean a complete departure from the company. He noted he has signed an extension to remain a part of the WWE family in a non-wrestling capacity, ensuring his presence will still be felt for the foreseeable future.