With just one date remaining on his year-long farewell tour, WWE icon John Cena has confirmed that his career with the company will continue, though strictly outside the ring.
In a revealing interview with Tom Rinaldi on WWE’s YouTube channel, Cena officially announced that he has signed a new five-year contract extension, committing to the role of an ambassador. The announcement ensures that Cena will remain a contributing employee of the WWE family for the foreseeable future.
The full quote regarding his new commitment illustrates his deep desire to remain connected to the sports entertainment business, where he became a global star. Cena stated: “I will be an ambassador [for] the WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years. I was like, ‘Please, as long as you can do it.’ I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part, for as long as I can.”
Despite this long-term extension, Cena maintained his rigid stance that his final match this weekend will be the absolute conclusion of his in-ring career. He insisted that he has no plans of ever wrestling again after the December 13 bout in Washington, D.C., emphasizing his commitment to upholding the promise he made to the fans.
John Cena Doubles Down On Retirement
“Physical activity, 100%—and I very rarely speak in absolutes, because you never know—I do know in this case,” he said. “This is why I can speak in absolutes, because I don’t want to let the people that I made a promise to down.”
Cena also shed light on the initial, highly ambitious plan for his farewell tour, revealing that he wanted to fully immerse himself in the world of professional wrestling again. He explained that his ignorance of the modern WWE schedule led him to pitch a grueling itinerary similar to the old days. He had initially wanted to do a full year of 220 dates, clearing his Hollywood schedule entirely to ride a bus and “totally say goodbye”.
However, WWE’s current schedule drastically limited the number of necessary dates. “Thank goodness the business isn’t like that anymore, because I’d be done. They only needed me for 36 [dates],” Cena confessed, grateful for the reduced workload.
The nature of his new ambassadorship will focus heavily on talent scouting and development. Cena referenced the pivotal moment early in his career when a spontaneous, funny rap session on a tour bus, overheard by Stephanie McMahon, saved him from being released and kick-started his “Doctor of Thugonomics” persona. Cena hopes to recreate this kind of opportunity for the next generation of performers.
“Maybe mentorship to talent that I wouldn’t have time to spend with, where I can sit and be like, ‘OK, who are you really? How do I get the rapping moment on the bus?’ Because I want that guy on TV, or I want that girl on TV. I’m looking forward to that stuff.”
This theme contrasts sharply with his final in-ring opponent, Gunther, who is actively building a legacy around retiring legends. Gunther, who previously defeated Goldberg in his final match earlier this year, earned the right to face Cena this Saturday, December 13th, at Saturday Night’s Main Event by winning the final of The Last Time Is Now tournament against LA Knight.
