John Cena, the Franchise Player of WWE, is gearing up for his final match on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event. His opponent will be Gunther, the winner of the Last Time is Now Tournament, marking the end of Cena’s legendary in-ring career.
Last year at Money in the Bank, Cena announced his retirement from in-ring competition, setting the stage for a farewell tour in 2025. After a series of ups and downs, Cena is ready to bid adieu to the WWE universe as a Superstar.
Throughout his retirement tour, Cena has delivered some memorable matches while also facing some challenges. Here, we take a look at the three best and worst matches from John Cena’s retirement tour.
Worst Matches:
3. John Cena vs. R-Truth: In a match that fans had been anticipating for a long time, John Cena defeated R-Truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event in a quick squash match. Despite Cena being a heel at the time, the match felt anticlimactic with ‘Ron Cena’ losing too easily.
2. John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE at SummerSlam 2025 led to a one-sided match against Cena at Wrestlepalooza. The rushed buildup and lack of revenge storyline made this match poorly booked.
1. John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes – WrestleMania 41: Cena’s last WrestleMania match saw him break Ric Flair’s record to become a 17-time world champion. However, the slow-paced bout with Travis Scott’s unexpected interference left fans underwhelmed. The rematch at SummerSlam 2025 redeemed the duo with a stellar performance.
Best Matches:
3. John Cena vs. Dominik Mysterio – Survivor Series WarGames 2025: Cena’s final match at a premium event against Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship was a highlight. With Liv Morgan’s return and a compelling storyline, the match was entertaining from start to finish.
2. John Cena vs. AJ Styles: Despite no prior buildup, Cena and Styles delivered a phenomenal match in Perth. The bout showcased the respect and in-ring skills of two wrestling legends, making it one of the best matches of Cena’s career.
1. John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes – SummerSlam 2025: The rematch between Cena and Rhodes at SummerSlam was a standout moment. With Cena reverting to a babyface, the match was a clash of fan-favorites. The hardcore brawl around the arena highlighted Cena’s prowess as a performer despite his age.
As John Cena prepares for his final showdown, his retirement tour has been a mix of highs and lows, ultimately culminating in a memorable journey for the WWE icon.
