John Cena made a promise to WWE fans 21 years ago that he’s sticking to with his iconic 2025 retirement tour.
Cena is stepping away from WWE after 2025, leaving a career that has seen him win a record-setting 17 World Championships.
The star often tops the list of WWE’s most lucrative earners and Cena has been equally as successful in his Hollywood career.
Back in 2004, the 17-time champion made a promise to WWE fans and he’s been incredibly faithful to his loyal audience.
John Cena said he would retire when he ‘lost a step’ in WWE
Cena revealed a promise he made to his loyal WWE audience when he was breaking into the main event scene 21 years ago.
The star is adamant he wasn’t going to outstay his welcome in the company, and he would bid farewell when his body started giving up on him.
“I’m 48 years old and I made a promise when I started getting success in WWE way back around 2004,” the 17-time champion explained on This Morning.
“I promised the audience when I felt I lost a step, it was time to step away,” added Cena, who is set for his final match in December 2025.
The current WWE Champion does not regret his decision to step away from professional wrestling, and he believes his company will continue to thrive.
“The company has so many stars,” explained Cena. “They’re in great hands.”
This is not the first time Cena has spoken about the aches and pains of professional wrestling taking a toll on his body.
John Cena opened up about struggles with his body condition
Cena has complained multiple times on his WWE retirement tour about his current peak physical condition.
The star was widely known as one of the strongest stars on the roster during his early days in the company, lifting the likes of The Big Show and Mark Henry with ease.
That’s not the case anymore, with Cena explaining to Stephanie’s Places that he struggles to overhead press in his current condition.
“I can’t even do these lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up,” said Cena. So, as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, ‘Oh man, I’m never gonna overhead press 375 pounds ever again.”
The WWE icon continued: “It’s a very similar course to WWE. My skills are in regress.”
Cena has 18 dates left of his WWE retirement tour, including stints at Crown Jewel Australia and Clash in Paris.